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Dedicated (hj 'permission) to her Royal Highness the 
Princess of Wales. 



BLACK HEATH ; 

A DIDACTIC AND DESCRIPTIVE POEM. 



LUMENA. 



TRANSLA TION, 

%c. 8$c. 



DEDICATION, 



HER ROYAL HIGHNESS 

THE 

PRINCESS OF WALES. 

Madam, 

JL his Volume, honoured 
by the condescending patronage of Your 
Royal Highness, contains the humble 
and unaspiring mental effusions of one, 
who sought in the contemplation of Na- 
ture, and in the expression of the Muse, 
some partial relief from the rigours of 
adversity. Happy that the wanderings 
of my feet were directed to paths, to 



DEDICATION. 

which Beauty and transcendent Virtue % 
Beneficence and exalted Rank have for 
ages resorted; and where, united in your 
Royal Person, they have selected their 
residence : — Happy that those scenes, 
which Nature appears to have endea- 
voured to render worthy of your Royal 
Presence, were the sources of ideas 
which, amid the miseries of want, have 
often won my soul from despondency; — 
Happy, unexpectedly happy, that the 
feeble breathings of my unelevated lays, 
have found favour from your Royal 
Attention, I meet the public eye with 
confidence, and look forward to future 
and higher labours with the energy of 
hope. 

To fraternal assistance my Volume 
is much indebted: permit me therefore, 



DEDICATION. 

Madam, to blend the devoted and hum- 
ble respect of my brothers with my own. 

That health and every species of 
happiness may, through a long and un- 
wearied life, attend your Royal High- 
ness, is the earnest prayer of him, who, 
with the most dutiful respect, and pro- 
found attachment, has the honour to 
subscribe himself, 

Madam, 

Your Royal Highness's 

Most humble, obedient, 

and devoted Servant, 

Thomas Noble. 
blackheath, 

June, 1808. 



SUBSCRIBERS, 



A. 
HENRY ABBOTT, Esq. Blackheath. 
Mrs. Abraham,, Percy-Street. 
Major Abraham. 

Daniel Alexander, Esq, Blackheath. 
John Julius Angerstein, Esq. Woodlands, Blackheath. 
James Annen, Esq. Eiiot-Place, Blackheath. 
Miss Annen, Eliot- Place, Blackheath. 
Mrs. Ashmeade, Paragon, Blackheath. 
Mr. Ashmeade, Paragon, Blaokheath. 
Miss Atkins, Bryan-House, Blackheath. 

B. 

Sir Francis Baring, Bart. Lee. 

Sir Thomas Blomefield, Bart. Shooters-Hill 

Miss Baldry, Shad well. 

Mrs. Barrett Stockwell. 

Daniel Bennet, Esq. Vanbrugh Fields. 

Capt. Bond, Blackheath. 

Thomas Boone, Esq. Lee. 

Mr> Alderman Boy del, Hampstead. 



SUBSCRIBERS 

Samuel Brandram, Esq. Lee. 

John Brent, Esq. Eliot-Place, Blackheath. 

Capt. Bright. Greenwich. 

H. H. Browne, Esq. Blackheath. 

Mrs. Bryan, Bryan-House, Blackheath. 2 Copies. 

Miss Bunce, Gower-Street. 2 Copies 

C. 

Colonel Campbell, Blackheath. 
John Christie, Esq. Jun. Blackheath. 
Mr. Thomas Courthope, Rotherhithe. 
Jesse Curling, Esq. Bermondsey. 
Mr. Creasy, Deptford. 

D. 

The Right Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth. 

The Right Hon. the Dowager Lady Dacre, 2 Copies. 

The Right Hon. Lady Dacre. 

The Right Hon. D. B. Daly, M. P. Bett's Hotel. 

Lady Douglas, Greenwich Park. 

Lieut. Gen. Davies, Grove, Blackheath, 

Mr. Dawes, Rotherhithe. 



SUBSCRIBERS 

Dr. Dennison, Broad- Street, Bishopsgate. 
William Dixon., Esq. Blackheath. 
Kennett Dixon,, Esq. Throgmorton-Street 
John Dyer, Esq. Park Cottage, Blackheath 

F. 

James Fairlie, Esq. Eliot Vale, Blackheath. 

Mrs. Faith, Wapping Wall 

Miss Farrington, Blackheath. 

Mrs. Fay, Ashburnham House> Blackheath. 

•- Feme, Esq. Royal Hill, Blackheath. 

Daniel Flowerdew^ Esq. Sir G. Page's Park. 
Daniel Freeman, Esq. Chislehurst. 2 Copies 

G. 

George Gardner, Esq. Lincoln's Inn. 
Mr. Goodson, Union-Place, Greenwich. 
Miss Ann Green, Blackheath. 
J. Gregsou, Esq. Throgmorton-Street. 
Mrs. Groombrige, Eliot-Place., Blackheath. 



SUBSCRIBERS. 

H. 

Robert Hains, Esq. Crorab's Hill, Blackheath, 

Thomas Hall, Esq. Kennington. 

Mrs. Haiiway, Bow House, Blackheath, 

John Hays, Esq. Horslydown. 

Thomas Hays, Esq. Bermondsey. 

Mrs. Horst, Dartmouth Row, Blackheath. 

I. 

John Thomas James, Esq. Russel-Square. 
George Joad, Esq. Dartmouth Row, Blackheath, 

K. 
J. L. Kensington, Esq. Grove, Blackheath. 

L. 

The Hon. and Rev. Dr. Legge, Dean of Windsor 
The Hon. Henry Legge, Lincoln's Inn. 
Rev. Mr. Lane, Prebendary of Hereford. 
Capt. Thomas Larkins, Blackheath. 
Peter Lawrie, Esq. Blackheath. 
Dr. Wm. Lewis, Walbrook. 



SUBSCRIBERS. 

'Thomas Lewis,, Esq. Queen-Street, Cheapside. 

Rev. Mr. Locke, Lee. 

Charles Locke, Esq. America-Square, 2 Copies. 

M. 

Mr. Munn, Dartmouth Row, Blackheath. 

N. 
Her Grace the Dutchess of Northumberland. 
George Wyndham Norris^ Esq. Surry-Street, Strand. 

O. 

The Right Hon. the Earl of Oxford. 
The Right Hon. the Countess of Oxford. 

P. 

Hon. William Wellesley Pole, Blackheath. 

John Joseph Peele, Esq. Clapham. 

Benjaman Philips, Esq. Blackheath. 

James Powell, Esq. Lincoln's Inn. 

Mr. Preston, Blackheath. 

F. D. Price, Esq. Grove, Blackheath. 



SUBSCRIBERS 

R. 

Mrs. Richardson, Cornhill. 

Mrs. W. Rowe, Grove, Blackheath. 3 Copies, 

S. 
His Excellency Sidky Efendi, Ambassador from the 

Porte. 
Robert Scott, Esq. Great Coram-Street, 2 Copies. 
Capt. Sever, Rotherhithc. 
Mr. W. Shepherd, Low Layton, Essex. 
Mr. G. Shepherd, America-Square. 
I. L. Shireff, Esq. Eliot-Place, Blackheath. 
J. Sicard, Esq. Eliot-Place, Blackheath. 
Robert Smirke, Esq. Albany, Piccadilly. 
George Stone, Esq. Hill-Street, Berkeley-Square, 
Mr. Stone, Hall-Place, Bexley. 

T. 

R. Taylor, Esq. Eliot Vale, Blackheath. 
Miss Todd, at Mrs. Horst's, Blackheath. 
William Tuppen, Esq. Eliot Vale, Blackheath. 



i 



SUBSCRIBERS. 

W. 
Samuel Wadeson, Esq. Paragon, Blackheath. 
Mrs. Webber, Vanbrugh Fields. 
Thomas Whitcombe, Esq. Blackheath. 
Rev. Mr. White, All-hallows, Barking. 
J. B. Wienholt, Esq. Kennet's Wharf. 
John Williams, Esq. Eliot-Place, Blackheath, 
Mrs. Williams. 

— —Wood, Esq. of the Hon. E. I. C. Surry-Street, 
William Woolcombe, Esq. Sen. Blackheath. 
William Woolcombe, Esq. Jun. Rotherhijthe, 

Y; 
Peter Young, Esq. ]Eliot-Place, Blackheath, 




BLACKHEATH: 

OR, 

IJV THE SPRIJVG OF 
1804 

A DIDACTIC AND DESCRIPTIVE POEM, IN FIVE CANTOR. 



_ when every Muse 

And every blooming pleasure wait without 

To bless the wildly-devious Morning Walk. 

Thomson- 



PREFACE. 



W ith what should an original poem be prefaced? — 
with apologies and solicitations of favour ? Surely not— 
If it has need of apoligies, suppress it : — if it is without 
merits solicitations are vain. (C But " cries my friend 
" the subject of your poem is entirely local, and there- 
" fore cannot interest the public in general; and the 
" manner in which you have conducted it is desultory 
<e and unconnected. Throw together a few explanatory 
" hints with a sprinkling of satire, or scandal , into the 
" form of a slight, careless, preface, if you really expect 
" to extend the circle of your readers beyond the pale of 
" Greenwich Park, or the sand-pits of Blackheath.'''— 
You mistake me, my good Sir, my subject is not local; 
it is as pervasive as Nature. Blacrheath is the name of 
my poem, because Blacrheath is the name of the place, 
where I have most frequently observed the beauties of the 
c 



vlii PREFACE. 

creation, and the productions of social ingenuity. Black- 
heath and its environs are better situated for a wide 
range of contemplation than any spot, with which I am 
acquainted. Where will you find prospects more exten- 
sive that at the same time abound, like these, with the 
grandeur of luxurious cultivation ? can you elsewhere 
behold the magnificence of a mighty city, so intimately 
united with the rural cottages of surrounding peasantry ? 
— the awful waters of a great commercial river, and 
the abundant labours of agriculture ? In what other 
situation can }our eye seize, in the same glance, the 
retired residence of a lovely and benevolent princess, 
and an august palace, devoted to the reception of those 
veterans, who have bled for the country they protected ? 
This elevated spot dedicated by a powerful nation to 
science and astronomical research, and yonder wide- 
spreading buildings dedicated by individuals to the safety 
and protection of commercial wealth ? Not only the 
riches of cultivation in all its forms, in orchards, garden- 
ground, meadows, and corn-land; but the riches of hu- 
man society and of the whole earth, in manufactories, 
majestic vessels, and the stores of universal traffic— My 



PREFACE. ix 

subject is, therefore., not merely local, but as the place, 
from which it is named, presents the greatest number of 
general objects, and possesses the greatest general interest. 
Nor is the conduct of my poem more desultory than what 
may be expected from the [title of it. The plan and 
leading passages of it were originally nothing more than 
what the title expresses; the accidental thoughts of 
" A Morning Walk in the Spring of 1804." — A period 
of my life particularly marked with that oppression, 
and those necessities, which have given perhaps too 
strong a feature to the whole composition. These 
leading passages were written in the indulgence of real 
feelings, and without any intention to exhibit them to 
the notice of the public. If they possess any poetical 
merit it is because they are the expression of sensations, 
not the researches of thought. It was this species of me- 
rit that induced my friends to persuade me to fill up my 
outline, and commit it to the press. Aided by the talents 
of my brothers Samuel and William I ventured to pre- 
pare a volume for publication, which might possess the 
beauties of superior embellishment, and by the attractions 
of their pencil, and graver, draw some attention to the 



iv PREFACE. 

productions of my pen. — To dwell upon the vexations 
to which an expensive work, undertaken by a man in 
necessity, without any considerable connexions, has been 
liable, would be tedious and unsatisfactory. It is enough 
to say, that repeated, and cruel, obstacles, and disappoint- 
ments have retarded its appearance. Now, under the 
most benevolent and august patronage, it is presented to 
the public. I offer my sincere thanks to my subscribers 
for their encouragement : and, since neither my brothers 
or myself have neglected any thing that might render the 
work elegant and complete, we come forwards, with 
diffidence indeed, but not without hope. 



argument, 



CANTO I. 

The appearance of a morning in spring just before sun-rise. 
The commencement of the walk. The restoration of Nature congenial 
to mental hope. Nature affords pleasures to the most humble beings. 
The sun rises. The pleasure of contemplating ruins. The ruins 
of Sir Gregory Page's seat* The sun becomes more elevated. 
Man alone complains and seems insensible of beauty of the morning. 
The happiness of the feathered race compared with that of man. 
Connubial bliss. The grounds about the residence of the Dowager 
Lady Dacre described. The tomb of Lord Dacre* 

CANTO II. 

Invocation to Cheerfulness. The pits near Lewisham Hill, 
JBlackheath. An old woman gathering water-cresses. The maternal 
instinct of the ewes. How different from human affection instanced 
in the feeble and aged gatherer of water-cresses. Sympathy. 
Cheerfulness recalled. The prospect from the point at Lewisham 
Hill towards Lee. The summer house of the Princess of Wales. 
The schooi-boys proclaiming their holiday. The folly of attributing 
our greatest happiness to our infancy. The prospect from the point 
at Lewisham Hill towards Lewisham, Sydenham, fyc. The wish. 



ARGUMENT. 

CANTO III. 

Invocation to the Muse. A general view of the heath- and pub- 
lic road. Flamsteed house. Astronomy. The view from Flam- 
steed Hill. Greenwich Park. The Thames. A fleet of merchant 
ships. The salute of the convoy. The West India Docks. The 
cultivation of sugar and of honey compared. Commerce. The true 
employment of Commerce. Cotton, and the British manufactories 
for that article. Wool. The annual meetings of the nobility and 
gentry who encourage the produce of Wool. Britain favoured by 
Commerce on account of her manufactories. The prospect from 
Flamsteed Hill continued. The eastern valley of Greenwich park. 
One Tree Hill. Vanbrugh House, the residence of Mr. Holf or d, 
A Greenwich pensioner, on One Tree Hill, observing the vessel, in 
which he fought, worn out with age and service, coming up the river 
to be broke up at Deptford. Greenwich Hospital. The view from 
One Tree Hill, The distant appearance of London with other ob~ 
jects. Address to Albion. 

CANTO. IV. 
Invocation to Independent Mind, Rural Labour the favourite 
theme of Independence. The improvements of Agriculture around 
the Woodlands. The prospect of the Woodlands, the seat of J. J. 
Angerstein Esq. The description of a generous and philanthropic 
Merchant. Agriculture the source of public good, and the safety of 
British Freedom from the influence of corrupt Power. Episode; 
The ruined husbandman. Address to the members of the British 
parliament to protect husbandmen from oppression. Episode ; La- 
con cultivating a track of waste land for his family. 



ARGUMENT. 

CANTO. V. 

The rapidity of the morning hours. The morning liours invok- 
ed. Address to the deity. The walk continued near the Thames 
by Greenwich Marsh. The woody hills and chalk pits near Charl- 
ton. Charlton Church. A group of gypsies retreating to a chalk 
hole. Shooter's Hill. Lady James's tower. The suggested evening 
prospect from Shooter's Hill. London, the Thames, Eltham, fyc. 
The rising of the full moon. The suggested noon-day prospect 
from Shooter's Hill. Hay-making. The return home. 




ERRATA. 
BLACKHEATH, Canto III. ver. 349,— for hand read touch. 

ARGONAUTICA. In the latin, after ver. 57, introduce this line, 

Talibus hortatur juvenem y propiorque jubenti 
and let the numbers 60, 65 t and 70 be each placed one line backwarder. 



BLACKHEATH : 

OR, 

A MORNING WALK IN THE SPRING 

OF 

1804. 



CANTO FIRST. 



xlO W soft the saffron radiance of the morn ! 
The lucid glow of every golden cloud 
How mild ! — How tenderly serene the beams, 
That yet rise chastened by the twilight shade 
And fill the orient, ere the orb of day 
Burns on the horizon : — Let me walk abroad i — • 
The new-born foliage dropt with glistening dew. 
While yet a scanty vestment for the boughs 
B 



10 BLACKHEATH 

Pleasing in palest verdure, and the bloom 

Breathing it's gentle fragrance on the air * 10 

From every silver leaf, may, with the charm 

Of soft congenial influence, waken Hope, 

Blythe Hope, bright harbinger of Mental Spring ! 

Alas ! a deep and dreary winter rests 

On my sad days :— a settled sombre cloud 15 

Excludes all light and petrifies my powers 

With Poverty's relentless frost '.—yet Hope 

Attracted by the sister Hopes, that spread 

O'er every infant blossom and each blade, 

That bursts ajbove the glebe, their silky spells^ 20 

Arises, trembling, from the cruel grasp 

Of pale Despondency and looks abroad :-•-— 

Swift at her touch the enlivening spirits mount, 

Waving their opening pinions :— -Fancy leads 

The jocund troop and scatters roses round; 25 



BLACKHEATH. 11 

While Hope ( all Sorrows silent near her ) sings. 

The lark that quivers far above the mist 

Which dulls the western skirt of yon grey cloud, 

And this gay chirper from the hawthorn buds 

Shaking the sparkling dew drops are her choir. SO 

She sings aloud, that, Nature hath her joys 

Even for me:-— her constant, tranquil joys--- 

That need no treasure., — need no other store 

But Sensibility and Peaceful Thought ! 

<c O God of Nature, who hast tilled thy Works, SB 

" With Love and virtuous Pleasure, — grant me Peace !—- 

(! Raise me from Want — and teach my soul Content 

" And Contemplation, — Science and Thyself ! " 

The Sun is risen : — the wide concave vault 
Expands with day : — Life feels the flood of light 40 
Pour thro' its every fibre and awakes ! 



12 BLACKHEATH. 

The feathered music from each thorny shrub* 

Each budding bush or intertangled glade 

Darts upward full of song ; and, in the sky 

Meets and salutes the vivifying beams. 45 

The orient teems with glories ;*■— every cloud., 

And every vapour that obeys the heat 

And mantles trembling on the waves of air, 

Displays rich sapphire folds, — while fiery gold 

Burns on the borders— or, with rubied light, 50 

Beneath an ever varying purple gleam, 

Whose highest ridge the sober indigo 

Deepening, invests, permits the attentive eye 

Undazzled for awhile a steadfast gaze. 

With what effulgency, — what pomp of li^ht 55 

The roseate radiance streams along the sky ! 

Here, where the silvery mist, transparent, robes 

The brighter azure, lost in violet tints, • 



v^ 







BLACKHEATR 13 

Tender and tremulous it dies away ; — 

There., with resplendent amber blended, flames 60 

So full a lustre, that the daring sight 

Sinks from the venturous glance and seeks repose 

Upon the humble verdure of the plain, 

Yet, still the wide and languid shadows spread 
In undetermined forms : — far to the west 65 

The robe of Night rolls on in ample folds 
Slow gathered off the Earth :-— from yon high elms 
Gigantic shadows wave in shapeless gloom, 
While, long secure, behind these ruined piles, 
Rests tardy Darkness, uncontracted, stretched 70 

Along yon hollow vale in deep repose. 
I love to tread where Time has strewn the path 
With trophies of his power ; there to gaze 
Upon the Historic Muse, who sits sublime 



14 BLACKHEATH. 

Above his crumbling conquests and exults 75 

That led by her, the Soul of Man has saved 

Whole ages from the tyrant ; and has left 

Nought but the mouldering stone within his grasp. 

But what are these dire ruins ?-■ — Here no Muse 

Points to Historic forms, that glide among 80 

Time's ivy'd arches :— Ivy spreads not here 

It's sacred mantle : — Here, no hallowed moss 

Is marked with footsteps of returning ghosts, 

Who haunt for centuries their loved abodes ; 

Seen by the eye of Fancy, when the Muse 85 

Of awful record deigns with her to rove 

Thro' monumented aisles and nodding towers. 

No : — 'mid these walls, where lifts the solid stone 

Young from it's quarry bed, it's strong, fair bulk-— 

'Mid these elliptic arches boldly curved 90 

By scientific Elegance,— "behold 



BLACKHEATH, la 

Pale Avarice stronger (ban resistless Time, 

His victory vaunts— and claims this ruin his ! 

Hence let me turn — ungrateful is the scene : — 

As when some noble youth, whose perfect form, 95 

With strength and beauty and superior soul, 

Rising to manhood, full of life and hope., 

Deep smitten by the dart of sudden fate* 

Falls, like the marble model of a god., 

In force and vigour motionless; — so fell 100 

This fabric, ere destructive Time had rocked 

It's firm foundations or defaced it's walls. 

—-Hence let me turn and quit this mournful scene.—- 

Distinctly now the lessening shades assume 
The features of their objects : — for the Sun 103 

Above the clouds, on which, at his approach, 
The spirits of ascending light unfurled 



16 BLACKHEATB. 

His glorious ensigns and proclaimed the day, 

Hath soared sublime and showered his radiant shafts* 

Illuming the blue concave : — Life resounds 110 

With love and pleasure — nought but man complains. 

He, the least charge of Nature, slowly leaves 

His restless slumbers ;-— sad with anxious thought, 

Beholds his wants, his cares, his toils renewed, 

And, mournful 'mid the music of the grove, 115 

Plods pensive to his labour. — Higher swell 

Your happy notes, sweet feathered minstrelsy : — 

The Spring that round your haunts its fragrance breathes 

That curtains you with verdure — that enchants 

Your little hearts, with light and heat and love ; 120 

For you creates a heaven on this earth 

Full of connubial bliss and tender joy. 

* Hyperion's march they spy and glitt'ring vliafts of waF. Gray. 



BLACKHEATH. 1? 

Nor past nor future shall disturb jour song 

The present is your own — it's ecstacies 

To you eternal;, since ye do not know 125 

That winter must again deform your groves 

With storms and darkness:— O, rejoice, while man 

Bemoans his frail existence, — naked gift 

Of niggard Nature ; — by disease assailed,* 

And with the torturing miseries of thought, 130 

Regret, anxiety and haggard fear 

For ever torn. Her steadfast laws for you 

Benign she framed — and bound your tender bliss 

With sacred statutes : — she informed your hearts 



* To Man, why, step-dame Nature, so severe ? 
Why thrown aside thy master-piece half wrought, 
While meaner efforts thy last hand enjoy ? 



Why curst with foresight ? wise to misery ? 
Why of his proud prerogative the prey? Yovxg. 

C 



18 BLACKHEATH. 

With untaught knowledge — with the simple truths 13S 
Of innate Instinct — and with-held the power 
Of error and of evil — Reason's boast ! 

Attune your sweetest songs, ye choristers, 
Woodlarks and linnets : — ye with darker wing 
And softer melody, and ye who chirp 140 

A gayer cadence 'mid your playful strains, 
And to the morning beams, your golden plumes 
Spread sportfully — frequent these beauteous bowers 
With sweetest lays ; for here, Connubial Bliss, 
That modulates your notes with tender joy, 145 

Descending, deigned to dwell awhile with man. 
A sacred pleasing impulse seems to move 
Thro' this delightful seat — where Taste has waved 
His beautifying wand o'er Nature's works 
And animated all the tranquil scene „ 150 



BLACKHEATH, 19 

With intellectual features : hence this grove, 

This flowery lawn — these intermingled shrubs, 

Whose various verdure blends in tender tints 

Or smiles in gentle contrast; — hence yon elms, — 

This stately beech, wide solitary lord 155 

Of the dew spangled meadow — these light boughs. 

Whose infant leaves upon the clouded bark, 

At every Zephyr tremble — and the shade 

Of yon high poplars thrown across the scene, 

Combine a verdant aspect mildly gay, 160 

Expressive of tranquillity and love. 

Ye spirits of terrestrial bliss ! — ye guides 
Of human Reason, who disdainful oft 
Rejects the happiness ye would bestow — 
Religion ! — Charity ! — Connubial Love ! 165 

Your sacred footsteps sanctify this path — 



20 BLACKHEATH. 

This, your frequented path to Dacre's tomb ! 

O, wider 'mid the mournful race of man 

Extend your power benignant ! with such mild, 

Such peaceful tenderness, — such awful hope — 170 

Instruct the human heart to seek repose ; — 

To gaze upon the hovering soul that waits 

It's lingering partner — thus, to hear the voice 

That from the tomb delighted speaks of Love, 

Of Love eternal !— thus, partake the flame 175 

Of Virtue, which for ever inextinct 

Lives on the hallowed urn — the irradiate flame 

Of Charity— of Hope—of Sacred Truth ! 

And is there Happiness on earth for man i? 
Amid the many miseries of Life, 180 

While sigh the mighty and repine the rich- 
While sorrow sears each mortal with her mark ; — 



BLACKHEATH, %\ 

And claims us individually her own ; 

Is there a way to escape her haggard eye, 

All vigilant to find a source of woe ! 185 

— There is ! — So, Nature's constant theme proclaims : 

I hear her holy voice : — aloud she sings : — 

Affection — Knowledge—Virtue — Honour — Peace 

Catch the soft breathings of her vocal lips 

And rise sublime o'er Dacre's sacred dust ! 190 

Here will I sit beside this rustic fane,* 



* Lee Church is supposed to be one of the most ancient Churches 
now remaining in England. It is said to have been built in the reign 
of Edward I. The small stream which runs in the valley near it, 
over which an elegant iron bridge has been thrown by Mr. Brandon, 
in the middle of his improved and beautiful meadows, is mentioned in 
old records by the name of the Little Bourne; it joins the Ravensbourn 
at Lewisham. The manor formed part of the possessions of Odo, 
Bishop of Baieux, in the time of William the Conqueror. It was 
afterwards the property of Richard Woodville, who married Elizabeth, 
widow of Sir John Grey; the celebrated Lady who became the Queen 
of Edward IV. 



22 BLACKHEATH. 

Whose scathed walls indented deep by Time, 

Receive the shadows of the aged elms 

That bound it's ancient cemetery : — here pause 195 

Amid the ashes of the countless dead 

Whom centuries have laid beneath this mould :--» 

Here listen to the truths of Nature's song ! 




BLACKHEATH : 

OR, 

A MORNING WALK IN THE SPRING 

OF 

1804. 



CANTO SECOND. 



LOME, Cheerfulness, blythe daughter of the Spring 
Be thou my Muse, — for thou canst chase away 
Care and the spectred thoughts of anxious Toil., 
That with their urgent and discordant cries 
Would break abrupt my meditated song : — 
Be thou my Muse ! - — this hill my Helicon !* 



* If I can be to thee 
A Poet, thou Parnassus art to me. Denham. 



24 BLACK HEATH, 

Its beauteous scenes, its lawns and flowery shrubs 

Made vocal with the gladness of the morn, 

Adorned with tender light and full of thee, 

Shall be my themes : — Then hence desponding Grief— 

Hence rankling Memory, sad Regret and Fear- — 10 

Ye that have still my mournful days possessed, 

Yield me this hour, — and let my soul receive 

Fair Cheerfulness, my Muse that smiles around ! 

Lo, in the sun-beams, how the gentle nymph 15 

Sportful expands her pinions,- — how she drives 

The flying shadow of the fleeting cloud 

From off the dewy verdure,— how she spreads 

The mellow light upon the golden heath, — 

How o'er the shaded violet she bends, SO 

Inhaling it's sweet breath ! — Who does not see,, 

Or think he sees, as yonder blossoms float 

On the loose breezes, wanton Zephyr press 



BLACK HEATH. 25 

A sportive kiss upon her smiling cheek, 

Scattering the silver leaflets on her breast 25 

In frolic dalliance : — then, she hastes away. 

And o'er yon stream,* that here and there reflects 

Amid it's dark blue willows the gay beams, 

Picturing the mingling joys and griefs of life, 

Jocund she leads the renovated hopes, 30 

And makes e'en sorrow sparkle. — Wayward, swift, 

The wide extensive prospect she pervades, 

More rapid than the ecstatic soul of Sound 

When joyous Music treads the waves of air, 

And Echo still repeating the sweet strain, 

Darts from the vaulted grot to her embrace. 35 



* A small river called the Ravensbourn that runs in the valley 
between Blackheath and the Lewisham hills. 



26 BLACK HEATH. 

How fair, how gay the landscape glitters round !— - 
Lo, in the front a craggy delve is seen. 
Its rugged eastern side in deepest shade 
Almost conceal'd, save that the slanting rays 40 

Glance, glist'ning, on the topmost weeds that fringe 
The jutting hillocks :— Bright the yellow broom 
Spreads westward, or beneath the dingy ridge 
Waves to the breeze it's undistinguished gold : 
While the pale cowslip, e'en within the obscure 45 

Of the dark hollow shews its dewy eyes, 
And violets lost in shade perfume the gale„ 

From the loose sandy cavity, this spring, 
Slow oozing, spreads it's wide and plashy bed,, 
Where water daisies and brown cresses grow 50 

Bent by the trickling current : — there a dame 
Aged and wretched — crippled by disease™ - 



BLACK HEATH. 27 

Stoops feebly on her crutch and culls wild herbs 

With palsied hand. — There, ewes are seen dispersed 

Ad own the shelving dell and o'er the heathy 55 

Scarce cropping* the short grass, while bleating loud. 

They call their lambs that sport about the slopes* 

Who shall explain this fond instinctive care., 

This anxious interest in another's good., 

Untaught by those reflections, those sweet hopes, 60 

That in the human mind depict the days, 

When with full joy the mother shall behold 

Her offspring rise to manhood, — view in him. 

All the best wishes of her soul complete ! 

Without such aid of hope, yon fleecy dam^ 65 

Attend their charge, unconcious, — soon forgot, 

Whether beneath the cruel knife they bleed, 

Or grown mature, they mingle with the flock, 



28 BLACK HEATH 

How different if yon withered cripple knew 
A darling child : — saw health and vigour fill 70 

His form with manliness : — She all day long 
Would nurture anxious hope— would talk of him — ■ 
Would tell her many cares in him repaid — 
Would boast of him, her honour and support : — 
When, 'mid her joy, disease, perhaps, or vice^ 75 

Or the malignant breath of haughty power 
Blasted her branch of comfort ! — down she sunk — • 
Wrecked — ah, more piteously than he whose bark 
Long tempest-beaten, hails the wished for port, 
And founders in the entrance ! — o'er her brain — 80 

O'er all the traces of the tcnderest hope, 
Creeps black Despondency — and in her heart 
Thro' every soft sensation darts his fangs, 
Till the delirious spirits sink subdued 



BLACKHEATH. 29 

Into cold torpor, and reluctant life 85 

Jlolls his dull stream of misery thro' her veins. 

But ah, amid a scene so wide, so rich--* 
With all the luxury of joyful light* 
Diffusive round — while Nature seems to feel 
The vernal kiss of Heaven's returning care 5 90 

And with the animated smile of love, 
Utters delighted gratitude, — ah why 
Dispel the genial pleasures ? — why observe 
The obtrusive sorrows of the human heart ? 
Is it that wheresoe'er we gaze, they rise ! 95 

That Nature's loveliest paths are but their stage 
Where, with the contrast of her beauteous bowers 
Their melancholy drama pains the more ? 
But who upon the gorgeous theatre 
Shall fix his eyes admiring, while a tale 100. 



SO BLACKHEATH, 

By Pity told in action wooes his tears,, 
And calls up all the interest of his soul ? 

Ever, O social Sympathy, be mine ! 
Thou art the human irfstinct, — and the breast 
That can annul thee, ceases to be man ! 105 

Wide our corporeal wants, — but wider far 
The wants of Science, Tenderness and Taste; 
Wants of the soul encreasing thro' our lives, 
Extend thy general empire : — Thou art all 
Of conscious happiness, that's known on earth : — 110 
The mutual claims of fond reliance— Love, 
Duty and generous Friendship flow from thee. — 
For what is self ? — not solitary man : — 
That monster, Nature knows not : — the mean wretch 
Who in the compass of his narrow breast, 115 

Confines his hopes and wishes, knows no joy. 



BLACK HEATH .31 

A deadening stupor is his highest bliss :--- 
He hath no attribute of man, but form- 
He is not human :— madness, not self-love^ 
Makes each encreasing misery all his own, 120 

And severs him from pleasure.— But when thou, 
Celestial Sympathy, didst stamp thy law 
On reasoning mind and make our wants pronounce 
Man scarcely individual— -a meer part 125 

Of social life, which separate, is nought ;— ? 
Then all the Virtues, all the Pleasures rose, 
And choirs of generous Duties sang aloud, 
(t Love one another, as ye would be loved : 
ff By that immeasurable, boundless rule 130 

" Do good to all mankind:— so shall return 
ff Tenfold the bliss, wherewith ye seek to bless,'* 



& BLACKHEATIL 

Resume* fair Cheerfulness, thy dulcet lute, 
And 'mid the clear expansive blue of heaven, 
Pursue yon lark and imitate his strain. 
For what, but the delightful scene beneath, 135 

Inspires him?— What but sunny meads—bright hills— 
The glow of Nature, bursting on his heart, 
Can tune his voice to such ecstatic airs 
Of sprightly melody? — Give me his song — 
Pour his expressive music through my verse, 140 

And let me half forgetful of all grief, 
Share with yon gladsome bird, the charms of Spring, 

How far yon cultivated vale extends,-— 
While eastward wave the darkly shaded elms 
In varied groups — between them streams the light, — 145 
And o'er yon meadow, — down this furrowed steep, — 
Soft brightness, with deep shadows mingled, streaks 



BLACKHEATH. S3 

The beamy prospect: — Up yon rise, a flood 
Of tender radiance, fluctuating rolls 
It's ruffled surface, when the young rye bends 
Beneath the breeze, or when a passing cloud 
Whose gauzy substance scarce restrains the rays, 155 
Throws for a moment o'er the lucid scene 
It's hesitating shade.— Yon ancient spire 
By it's co-eval elms encompassed round— % 
(Where, late, the Voice of Nature touched my ear 
Loud swelling 'mid the venerable tombs ; 160 

While the soft notes of Spring, symphonious, seemed 
Thro' all their sweet varieties to close 
In that deep solemn cadence)-— and yon dome, 
More fair in contrast with the ebon firs 
That wave against it's side, crown the clear slope-— 165 
Ere yet the tender distance spreads, confused, 
£ 



34 BLACKHEATR 

Blending the lessening objects : — the faint mist 
Thence undulating,— between light and shade- 
Floats the 'mid landscape with imperfect tints: — 
Yet there a track of yellow blossomed herbs 170 

Shews its bright gold investing the gay hill,— 
And the pale green of yonder infant corn 
Reflects a softer lustre ;— -while the cots 
Each lattice catching the refulgent beams, 
Glisten like silver stars amid the gloom. 175 

Nearer, fair villas rise— there where the hill 
Descends abrupt, gay gardens to the sun 
Offer their cultured fragrance and his beams 
Court with Hesperian fruits and Indian shrubs :— 
The cool Ananas— the rich Orange grove— 180 

The rose of Candia and such myrtle boughs 
As might have shaded the Castalian fount 



BLACKHEATH. 35 

And crowned Anacreon when he sang of Love. 
There the Pavilion,* with fantastic roof, 
Reflects the glistening sun beams, while around 185 

Young Vegetation lifts his verdant brows 
And in a thousand forms obeys the call 
Of genial Warmth:— A beauteous Princess here 
Receives the earliest offerings of the Spring- 
Congenial Spring, o'er whose celestial front 190 
The expanding rose buds breathe, approaching, smiles 
Like a beloved sister, who presumes 
To aid the wishes of benignant Power, 
And share the task of blessing this fair isle, 

Hark— how the shout of youthful merriment 195 
Bursts, startling, on the morn:— the jocund troop 



* The name of a Summer-house in the garden of her Royal High- 
ness the Princess of Wales, situated on the south side of Blackheath, 



36 BLACKHEATH 

Proclaim their holiday and winged for sport 

Bound, buxom, o'er the hillocks :-— Loud their jo}% 

Elastic, mounting in the sprightly tides, 

That flush the full vermilion o'er their cheeks ; 200 

Brilliant, as when Aurora's rosy hand 

Unfolds the curtain of awakening Light. 

Not the wild fawns within some glen remote, 

Sheltered from fear by interwoven boughs 

Scarce by the sun transpierced,— -more lightly leap 205 

The blossomed brambles or the mossy rills, 

How beautiful when young and void of care 

The human soul appears !— that moment's full. 

Full to the brim with pleasure unalloyed ;— 

While Joy unvalued— quick forgotten Grief 210 

Dart thro' each rapid, unremembered day I 

Yet, tell me, ye who cherish the fond thought 

And with regret review those infant hours. 



BLACK HEATH. 37 

When, Sorrow, with a momentary pang 3 

Wounded but left no sting— when airy Joy 215 

Fluttered around you on resplendent wing, 

But scarcely settled;— -say, wherein consists 

The happiness of intellectual man ? 

Is it not in the number of desires, 

Whose sweet enjoyment Prudence may permit, 220 

Rather than in the dearth of tender hopes 

And dullness of oblivion ?— If not so,— 

The brute is happier even than the child,— 

And in your scale of bliss, the purple bud 

With only one fair gift of smiling life, 225 

Cradled in tender verdure, happier still 

With soft insensibility exists ;— 

But happiest far, the cold unconscious rock 

Whose torpor sheathed the breast of Niobe> 

Or modelled by the chissel, mocks the soul 230 



38 BLACK HEATH, 

With semblance of sensation.-— Drop not thus 
Into the silent slumber of the tomb ;--- 
But gaze with ardent eyes on Nature's charms ! 
Lo, active Virtue strewing Pleasures round- 
Delights to Memory— transports to fond Hope ;— 235 
While Science leads the persevering mind 
To high., yet mild enjoyments., ever new ! 
Nor Cheerfulness in such a morning walk 
Shall woo in vain thy weary heart from woe :— 
She from each object animates some train 240 

Of bright reflections— some renewed desires— 
And makes us feel how sweet it is to live 
While living we increase the powers of life. 

How full,— how various spreads the scene around : 
The mind dilates o'er all the ample view^ 245 

Like the expansive radiance of the sun;— 



BLACKHEATH. 39 

But, weak Expression would in vain essay 
To copy the rich picture from the sight. 
Yonder gay hedges intermingling close 
Or like loose net work o'er the distant hill, 250 

Seem careless thrown : there, branchless and uncouth 
Tall trees aspire, and the low pollard oaks 
With their wide branches in the distance, mark ■-. 
The slowly winding lane :— yon dell abrupt 
Where the thick smoke from the high kiln ascends, 255 
Houses and clustering trees of every hue- 
Meadows and blossomed shrubs and flowerets wild :-— 
The glistening Ravensbourn, scarce seen amid 
His silvery willows—the loud mill— the herds 
That in dark droves low o'er the echoing marsh, ^60 
The ploughboy's whistle as his side long share 
Furrows the steep descent;-— the tinkling bells 
Of the slow team, that, straining, labours up 



40 BLACK HEATH, 

The tedious road— the tedious road itself 
Lost in the umbrageous vale, whence roofs and boughs 
Close mingling rise in tiers— roofs above roofs, 265 

And boughs in rich perspective clustering spread 
Boughs above boughs, until embraced, thy fane 
Proud Lewisham,* who hast seen kings welcome kings, 

Nay more, hast seen a joyous multitude 270 

Leave the deserted capital to meet 

Their great victorious sovereign,— high appears 

J Mid the thick foliage :— then, receding hills 275 



* Lewisham is a very ancient village on the Ravensbourn, and is 
famous for having been the spot of many great interviews. In 1415 
the Emperor of Constantinople was here received by Henry IV. Here 
Henry VIII. met Ann of Cleves : in the same reign, a deputation here 
welcomed the high Admiral of France and Archbishop of Paris. In 
1410 the Emperor Sigismund resided here; and in 1474 Edward IV. 
here received a convocation of Londoners. At Lewisham also, the 
Lords temporal and spiritual attended by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen 
and crowds of the inhabitants of London met Henry V. on his return, 
from the conquest of France.. 



BLACK HEATH. 41 

Of various forms romantic^ various tints, 

That lead the piercing sight to farther hills, 275 

And these to farther, till, more faint and faint, 

The pale grey distance mingles into mist, 

Floating the horizon with uncertain bounds. 

O, if I dared to wish,— so frequent foiled— 
Dared yet again to call on Fancy's aid, 280 

And for a moment raise a dream of life,— 
This were the moment !— this the lovely scene 
The theatre of days, which ne'er must be ! — 
Alasj Imagination, sickening, sighs 
And gives—reluctant gives— the faded forms 285 

Of that ideal Future, — fondly drawn 
In vivid colours, ere the constant tear 
Of Disappointment dulled their lucid tints, 

p 



42 BLACKHEATH. 

Yet still the oft built cottage will appear 
On this delightful spot, — it's whitened front, 290 

Full to the south, resplendent with the sun ;— 
While, underneath the thick and curling vine, 
The panting Zephyrs wave their silky vans 
At every window :— fronting to the east, 
A smaller casement, opening to the morn, 295 

Should give, uncurtained, to my wakening eyes 
Life's earliest beams:— for nought I'd lose of life- 
No, I would grudge each instant, and Repose 
His short reign ended, should release my mind, 
Fresh kindling with existence : — straight with me, 300 
The mental part of the great dead should wake :— 
Virgil or Horace or his deeper truths 
Should the persuasive Tully speak again :— 
Or Spenser wrap me in his fairy dream, 
Or Shakspear hurry me thro' every sense 305 



BLACK HEATH. 43 

Of trembling feeling,— Or to the theme sublime 

Of mighty Milton should my soul attend, 

'Till the wide effluence uncreate of light 

O'erwhelm me,— -or, the dark and hollow vault 

Suffused with lucid flame appear and shake 310 

Thro' all its echoes with the dire debate 

Of fallen Seraphs :— Or, with gentler verse. 

Should Thomson lead me thro' the annual path 

Of genial Nature and the varying God ! 

Or, in majestic numbers, should the strain 315 

Of Arenside unfold the human mind 

And thee, Imagination;—- by the light 

Of Genius kindled at the eternal throne 

Displaying thee,— thee beautiful, sublime, 

And wonderful '.—Then should the sacred fire 320 

That burns for ever in their powerful verse, 

Illume my breast and give Ideas life :— 



44 BLACKHEATH. 

Ideas, that buried in the dark, cold grave 
Of death-like want, oft mid the silent night 
Gleam faintly forth and fondly whisper fame, 325 

And group their spectre forms around the shrine 
Of Poesy and Science :— - they should live- 
Cherished should live, my pleasure and my pride ! 
But not harmonious numbers should absorb 
Me wholly ; Science should recal my mind 330 

To studies decorate with Truth alone ; 
Beauteous without the robes that Fancy weaves, 
And to the ardent strength of manly thought, 
Most lovely thus by simple Truth attired. 
Geometry, with slow and solemn pace, 335 

Should at my side explain the forms of things, 
And, patient, trace the fluctuating point* 



* Those parts of Geometry which treat of curves are here alluded 
to. The relation, which many curves, particularly the circle, bears 



BLACK HEATH. 45 

Which, as the right line bends into the curve, 

Unsettled trembles :— or, indefinite, 

The millionth fraction of a viewless grain, 340 

Escaping human sense ( yet, to the mind 

A mazy space, where thought perplexed is lost) 

Conceals infinity from mortal sight. 

Or thou, with all the light of all thy suns, 

Shouldst pour thy mighty splendor on my soul 345 

Astronomy— and bid my Reason pierce 

Thro' vast surrounding systems to that power 



to a right or straight line forms a series of investigations which 
have occupied the attention of all Mathematicians and still remains 
unresolved. Sir Isaac Newton, by his invention of the doctrine of 
Fluxions, endeavoured to overcome the difficulties which this incom- 
prehensible relation or ratio creates in Science. By this wonderful 
doctrine we obtain any determined degree of approximation, but the 
exact coincidence lies probably beyond the powers of human concep- 
tion. We therefore conclude that the relation between a curve and 
right line exists in infinite minuteness, subject to the same inscrutable 
laws that extend the unsearchable magnitude of the boundaries of the 
universe. 



46 BLACKHEATH, 

Creative and attractive— sovereign Good— 
Felt thro' all space— the cause and sphere of all I 

Then not the Hesperian sun,, whose orient beams,. 
Unclouded o'er the clear cerulian vault 350 

Effulgent break,-— should more serenely keep 
It's purple promise of a beauteous day. 
Than should my mind so rising, pour the rays 
Of Peace and mild Content and placid Joy, 355 

O'er my unruffled life :— my Gracia's love 
With anxious tenderness should animate 
The still, soft hours :--- the temperate repast 
By her prepared, luxurious, should invite 
Content and Friendship to the frugal board. 360 

Content, from whom each genial blessing flows, 
The genuine priest of Nature,— at whose voice 
The Hopes and Fears,— -the tempests of our lives. 



BLACK HEATH. 47 

Breathe like light Zephyrs o'er the calm smooth lake, 

Rippling- its sunny surface : — Friendship, too, 365 

Free, independent Friendship, Social Mind, 

With sentiments unbias'd, uncontroled 

By timid obligations- --strenuous,—- just,— - 

Pledged to the cause of Truth, should here converse, 

Expand the bosom and exalt the soul. 370 

Nor, from the board by Gracia drest, should Love, 

Endearing Love, be absent ; whom Esteem 

And the soft Fellowship of joy and woe 

And mutual consolation, mutual care, 

So fondly nurture, that e'en now the flame, 375 

E'en now amid affliction, the bright flame 

Sheds such a gleam of pleasure o'er my grief, 

That, let my wish be cancelled—let my cot 

Shaded with breezy foliage— let my morn 

Irradiate with science, blessed with son°:s 380 



48 



BLACKHEATtt 



Of soul entrancing poets— let my day 

Of placid study, friendship and content, 

E'en in idea perish— let me pass 

In servile misery all my tedious hours, 

Rather than lose that sweet domestic Love, 

That lives on Gracia's lips and soothes all woe ; 



384 




Arch in Lady Dacre's Park. 



BLACKHEATH : 

OK, 

A MORNING WALK IN THE SPRING 

OF 

1804. 



CANTO THIRD. 



\J rove around this blossomed Heath with me, 

Thou mental Spirit — energy of Song— 

Muse! — (for that name, so frequent heard, thou lovesi 

And oft of old, by that invoked, hast culled 

Sweet flowers of Fancy for thy favoured bards, 8 

Shading their brows with amaranth and bays) — 

Then rove this heath with me Celestial Muse ! 

Nor deem my subject mean, tho' my weak hand 

Q 



50 BLACKHEATH. 

Touch, tremulous, the faintly sounding strings. 
Or if the scene of rude romantic delves 10 

Coated with moss and rich with golden bloom 
Delight not now ;— if not the extensive plain- 
Yon mills, high placed and restless in the wind— 
This moated mound* surrounded with dark fir, 
Where it is said the bones of rebels sleep ;— 15 

If not the objects of the busy road, 
The rapid horse— the dust-envelloped chaise— 
The motley peopled stage— the trudging clown 



* The heaths of Kent are remarkable for mounds of earth, sur- 
rounded with moats. Blackheath had many of these mounds formerly, 
but, at present, only one remains, encompassed by fir trees, and 
forming a picturesque object near the Park Wall. These mounds are 
supposed by some to be the burying places of such as have fallen in the 
many rebel armies that have been defeated in this county. On Black- 
heath it is said, that Wat Tyler assembled one hundred thousand men. 
Jack Cade, under the name of Mortimer, encamped here in the reign 
of Henry VI. and here in the reign of Henry VII. the Cornish rebels 
to the number of 20,000 were defeated. 



BLACKHEATH, 51 

His all upon his shoulders, sold his cot, 

About to sell himself for anxious cares 20 

And yon rank city's toilsome misery;-— 

If not the herd that heavily move on 

Along their clouded path, with hollow sounds 

Of feeble lowing and of bleating faint, 

And shepherd-dogs with sharp continued bark;— ^ 25 

If not for these thou deignest the pictured strain, 

Yet rove with me and animate my song, 

Where Commerce, Arms and Science o'er the scene 

From every object breathe the patriot theme ! 

What tho' no mountain with terrific front, 30 

Star-crowned and robed with thunder here denote 
This center of mankind*— this social pole— - 



# It is almost needless to observe, that in the following lines, the 
Observatory in Greenwich Park is alluded to ; from which, the eastern 



53 BLACKHEATH. 

Hound which our busied intermingling race 

Perpetual move as Commerce guides them round ; 

Yet from this beauteous hill, Urania deigns 35 

To count her eastern and her western steps. 

Oft as she treads the circuit of this globe, 

Fixing her bright meridian's steadfast ring, 

Upon this favoured summit. Here reclined 

She meditates the great primeval law,* 40 

Which through the vast infinity of worlds, 

Was, ere the utterance ceased that bade them, BE, 

Felt in each center. Or, with mild discourse, 



and western Longitude is reckoned on all British maps and globes. The 
residence of the Astronomer Royal is still called Flamsteed House, from 
Flamsteed the first Astronomer Royal, appointed in 1675. The present 
is the Rev. Dr. Nevil Maskelyne, who was appointed in ] 765. To his 
project of a Nautical Almanac, and to his science in the conduct of it 
since the year 1767, is the Navigation and consequently the naval and 
commercial power of the kingdom, highly indebted. 

* The law of Gravitation. 



BLACKHEATH. 53 

In human diction her high thoughts compressed, 

She speaks of Number, Motion, Time and Space, 45 

'Till human diction sinks beneath the theme ; 

'Till e'en a Newton or a Maskelyne 

Whose swift perceptive minds precede her words, 

Cannot express the wisdom they attain. 

Tho' they the rapid series with the slow* 50 

Blend in refined relations, — or direct 

The flow of endless Number,f endless Space 



* Logarithms) the invention of Baron Neper, of Merchiston, in 
Scotland, are constructed on the analogies of two series of numbers. 
The natural numbers proceed in the order of their powers and therefore 
with accelerated velocity : the artificial numbers or Logarithms are the 
indices or gradations of the powers and therefore proceed in the common 
numerical order. Various species of Logarithms have been formed and 
calculated to an astonishing extent by Dr. Hutton of Woolwich, and 
by Dr. Maskelyne, who superintended those which are published under 
the authority of the Board of Longitude, 

f Fluxions, the first and perhaps the most subtle of the disco- 
veries of Sir Isaac Newton, is the Doctrine of the increase or decrease, 
of quantity in relation to the regular progress of Time. By seizing the 



54 BLACK HEATH. 

And by the march immutable of Time, 

Compute the varying motion, Language droops, 

And leaves us scarce a sense of what they know, 55 

Or to the weak perspective* of our sight, 

She, Muse of the eternal Spheres, displays 

The great sidereal conclaves, where enthroned 

Each in his mighty orb, the Powers of Light, 

Profuse of vital effluence, sit convoked, 60 

^Myriads of peopled worlds, attendant round :^-- 



idea of such increment or decrement at each instantaneous formation, 
he put a new and irresistible edge to that most acute of all the instru- 
ments of human reason, Algebra or analytical Arithmetic. 

* The perspective consideration of the Universe, as suggested and 
investigated by Dr. Herschel, is one of the boldest conceptions of the 
human mind, and yet founded on the simple principles of vision. That 
which man has hitherto denominated the Universe is but one Nebula or 
assemblage of suns with their attendant planets about their common 
center of gravity; and those appearances which astronomers have 
termed nebulous Stars, are other similar assemblages, each an Universe 
\o the minute inhabitants of the planets belonging to its collected suns» 



BLACKHEATIl 55 

But of our solar star and his vast train 

Of planets and their planets, chief she speaks ; — 

And of this Earth where circumscribed we move ;—- > 

While in its mould involved,, ethereal mind., 65 

Informs this mortal frame with more than Life : 

Then of the Moon, who shares her silvery day 

With our nocturnal hours, — at whose approach/ 

Ocean, disturbed thro' all his waves, upheaves 

His sides saline, and mighty rivers casts 70 

Back on their sources ; while the Sylphs of Air, 

Dilating their light pinions, rapid, rush 

In panting bands, obedient to their Queen. 

Of these she speaks:— Old Thames in silence hears—* 

Fair Commerce leaning on his azure breast 75 

Listens delighted — Naval Power, who like 

Some Guardian God involved in fearful clouds, 



56 BLACKHEATH, 

Sits on the borders of his favourite stream, 
Stills his deep thunder, and attentive bends. 

Gaze eastward from the brow of this gay hill, 80 
Whose slopes the blue fir shadows, — there, behold 
The proudly swelling river welcome home, 
The numerous vessels of yon wealthy fleet. 
Slow and majestic 'mid the embracing waves, 
That glistening break against each sea worn prow, 85 
They move deep freighted — their long furrowed path 
Glows far behind refulgent, while the sails, 
Bosomed by native breezes, wide distend 
In snowy folds or at the changing helm 
Tremble disturbed and throw a wavering shade 90 

Across the sparkling current: — thus by night, 
When with the softer radiance of the moon, 
The full illumined concave smiles serene, 



BLACKHEATH. 57 

Arise light trains of silver vested clouds,, 
Slow floating on the lucid waves of air. 

Now swarm the busy banks and joyous shouts 95 
Salute the intrepid seamen* who with songs 
And loud huzzas reverberate the joy. 
Then from his dark and thunder bearing sides 
Their tutelary Lion shakes a peal 

Of dreadful exultation to announce 100 

The western wealth, confided to his charge, 
Protected from the foe, the insidious foe, 
Who like the cruel tiger, trembling, lurks 
In his dark den, — then, darts upon his prey. 

Unfold yon lofty water-gates — for lo ! 105 

The river Tritons heave the eddying flood, 

H 



58 BLACKHEATH. 

And through their gurgling shells, impatient, pour 

Deep murmuring music: — 'mid the sedgy marsh 

Behold the tropic Goddess moves along 

Upon the rushing waters : — Commerce hails 1 10 

Her lovely friend, and bids her palace rise 

Beside the margin of a placid lake* 

Where the dark tempest breathes not. — There her cane 

Pours copious streams of juices, that surpass 

The honied treasures of the peopled hive. — 115 

Ah, would that cane as innocently grew 

As the wild thyme that vests the mountain's side ! 

Where, while the dew hangs glistening on its leaves, 

And the moist zephyrs of the morning breathe 

Its fresh perfume, the winged labourers swarm, 120 

Extracting, eager, from uninjured flowers 

*! Tira West India Docks, on the Isle of Dogs. 



BLACK HEATH. 59 

Delicious wealth — for which no brother bleeds ! 

For which no hive of duskier wing, enslaved, 

Toils groaning, on the scorching southern steep, 

"Till the hot sickening air dissolve their bonds, 125 

And misery, at length with life, expires ! 

O Commerce, wilt thou still pursue the steps 
Of cruel Avarice ? — Lo, beside him stalk 
Across the darkened regions of the earth, 
Rapine and Death—and clanking dreadful chains, 130 
Vindictive Slavery, muttering forth revenge ! 
Thee, gentle intercourse of our wide race, 
Mingling the toils and wants of every clime, 
And making one great family of Man, 
Thee, Science, thee Philanthropy implore — 135 

To thee, Philosophy with solemn voice 
Assigns delightful traffic — to diffuse 



60 BLACK HEATH. 

Fair Nature's varied blessings o'er the globe ! — 

To solace the rude tenants of the pole 

With fruits that ripen in the tropic sun ! — 140 

To store the ice-barr'd caverns of the North, 

With that bright fluid which the mellow grape, 

On Ebro's banks distils, or where the Po 

Thro' purple plains rolls his harmonious stream:— 

To waft Arabian fragrance and the breath 145 

Of India's fervid spices thro' the air, 

Where the pale Frost sits silent, fixt as Death, 

In dreadful solitude!— 'Tis thine to cull 

The silvery cotton's vegetable fleece, 

Whether its flossy filaments are seen 150 

Like floating snow o'er Ganges' tepid waves, 

Or whether as the sea-breeze faintly pants 

Upon the Atlantic isles, with downy showers, 

Wayward, it fills the undulated air; — 



BLACKHEATH 61 

'Tis thine to bear it to the British loom., 155 

Where in light woofs the tender texture grows, 

Swells into folds transparent, or entwines 

A close soft fabric with its mossy threads. 

Had I the pastoral reed, that Dyer's lips 

Touched with sweet descant, I would make resound 160 

Thy favoured stream, O Commerce, and these hills 

That rise in gentle verdure from his shores, 

With praise of thy chief treasure.-— Hark, the vales 

The flowery mountains, the extensive plains 

Of this blest Island, bleat aloud the theme ! 165 

From the mild borders of the gentle south, 

Where the wild rose and woodbine freely yield 

Their fragrant breath, far as the northern rocks, 

Where Scotia hears the indignant Ocean heave 

The heavy Arctic fetters from his limbs, 170 

And roar enraged around her echoing coasts, 



62 BLACKHEATR 

The fleecy vesture spreads.— -The cheerful swains 

Proud of their numerous flocks— proud of those cares 

That make Britannia richer from herself, 

Than when she grasps each India and exerts 175 

Her awful strength to keep them both her own., 

Meet emulous and crown with festive song 

Their patriotic labours: — every hind 

Who watched the fold thro' many a wintry night. 

And rested not until his charge was housed, 180 

When from the dismal east, the dark thick sleet 

Fell transverse, driving thro' the turbid air/ 

Rejoices now with Nobles of the Land, 

Who love this Island more than guilty spoil 

And Indian homage— -and with fond delight 185 

Nurture the sinews of its native strength ! 



BLACK HEATH. 63 

For what but its internal stores of wealth, 
The wealth of Toil and energies of Art 
Dost thou, O Commerce, claim this Island thine? 
For what but that creative force of mind, 190 

That calls the uncouth produce into form, 
And makes the iron ore out value gold ? 
For not where nature with profusion pours 
Unlaboured plenty o'er the sickening clime, 
Not where on unpruned boughs the full fruit bursts^ 195 
And disregarded yields its nectared flood 
To the hot sun; not where sweet odours sleep 
Upon the motionless and heated air 
And with oppressive languor lull the soul; — 
No— nor where pleasure presses the rich grape, 200 
While the bright foliage easts luxurious shade, 
And soft voluptious melody consumes 
The enervated perceptions, wilt thou fix 



64 BLACKHEATH. 

Thine empire, Powerful Commerce:— tho' beneath 

The branching verdure, 'mid the dusky fruit 205 

The tender worm weave there his silken tomb;— - 

Tho' there the streams display their golden sands;— 

Tho' there the Nereids bind their hair with pearls 

And plant the coral round their glittering grots ; 

Not there, tho' diamonds thro' the glistening earth 210 

Dart forth pellucid radiance, wilt thou deign 

To set thy central throne!— But here, where man, 

Performing the high task by heaven assigned, 

Improves for general use each several good 

Of every climate;-— here, thy realm endures ; 215 

And Britain holds from thee the high command 

To bless with all thy cares the human race. 

Her Manufactures form thy power and pride;--- 

Whether Salopia moulds the vitreous vase, 

Or skilful Sheffield into wond'rous shapes 220 



BLACKHEATH, 65 

Fashions the lucid steel — or Birmingham, 

With plastic touch, compresses the rude ore 

And makes it bend to all the wants ofman;-^- 

Whether the wealthy loom, with powerful grasp, 

Connects the mingling fleece;— whether those stores, 225 

(The rough unshapen produce of the world, 

Which all its nations heap upon these coasts) 

Are wrought into new fabrics, and again, 

Encreased in value more than if the hands 

Of the Mygdonian monarch had embraced 230 

Each bale transmuted, they by thee are borne 

Back to their native clime, or, o'er the globe 

In various ports delight and aid mankind : — 

Still, whatsoe'er the labour, thou beholdst 

Thy sceptre here supported, and it's sway 235 

By Industry and generous Art preserved. 



66 BLACKHEATH. 

Broke into gentle rallies, lo the hills 
Yield sloping— -where the bough that Maia loves, 
The blossomed hawthorn, spreads its snoAvy wreath, 
The halcyon chaplet of the genial year :— 240 

In long majestic vistas, yonder elms 
Extend their solemn ranks : — the Iberian beech 
Waves wide its ample arms and leafy robes, — 
While crested with light pyramids of bloom 
Castania graceful spreads her tufted form, ] 244 

A canopy of foliage o'er the path ;--= 
And deeper shaded pines, with azure gloss 
Floating luxuriant on their clouded boughs, 
Hang their dark tresses down the shelving steep. 
Already o'er the hill's more shady side, 3.50 

Where yet the dew bedrops the moistened herbs, 
The motley deer spread numerous, and this vale, 
Thro' which long shadows from each ridge oblique 




\? 









33 






BLACKHEATH, 67 

Stream faintly., is with many a straggling group 

Loose scattered o'er. Proud of its lonely elm,* 255 

Yon height protrudes its brown and arid brow, 

A contrast to the verdant banks around :— 

Turrets with mock antiquity and spires 

Envelloped in thick verdure, farther risej, 

In darker forms, obtrusive 'gainst the beams, 260 

That, spreading from the east, preserve soft tints 

Of palest yellow, wlieresoe'er the morn 

Throws her light veil upon the lingering clouds, 

D, might I wander 'mid so fair a scene, 

My mind unburdened with diurnal toil, 265 

How often would I fix rny gaze on thee. 



* One Tree Hill, rises on the North East part of Greenwich Park % 
beyond it and without the walls of the park, are Vauburg Fields, 
famous for buildings in grotesque or antique architecture. That which 
was built by Sir John Vanburg, is said to be after the model of the 
the Bastile, and was called the Bastile House; it is now called Vanburg 
House, 



6S BLACKHEATR 

Expressive Muse and strive to win thy song, 

That holds the tinted landscape in its verse, 

Glows with the sun — pants with the ethereal breeze, 

Or rolls, in meditated eloquence, 270. 

The philosophic theme of Truth along ! 

Pensive beneath yon solitary elm, 
An aged seaman sits : — fixed is his eye 
On the refulgent stream that flows below, 
Where the rich radiance, an impervious mist 275. 

Of brilliant light, plays on the sparkling waves, 
And with suffusive lustre veils the scene. 
His only arm o'ershades his aching sight, 
That pierces, anxious, thro' the dazzling air, 
And rests upon its object ( scarcely seen, 280 

Yet known to the best feelings of his heart) 
The vessel that he fought in from his youth : — 



BLACKHEATH. 69 

ghe, on whose deck he often joined the shout 

-Of battle and of victory,—- she, whose sides 

Enclosed the field of all Iiis manly force, 285 

The scene of all his friendships :-— not a plank 

But bears some mark of lilood, which once he loved ! 

On this side, by the foremost cannon, fell 

His own right arm, when in pursuit she spread 

Her crouded sails, and on the dastard foe 2,9Q 

Bore down Britannia's thunder.— Slowly now, 

She drifts up heavily upon the tide : 

As when an eagle, wounded in 'inid air, 

On languid pinions motionless awhile, 

Floats on the aerial current, so she moves, 295 

A shattered burden on those very waves, 

That often with their sparkling spray have kissed 

Her welcome prow and, resonant, have dashed 

'Jlieir silvery spume against her rapid sides. 



70 BLACK HEATH. 

But ah, more swift than when the courted gales 300 

Swelled her expanded canvas, does the mind 

Of this poor mariner retrace her course 

On distant oceans : — by the tempest driven 

He braves the mountain billows, or, involved 

In all the dreadful dissonance of fight, 305 

Rends down the colours of the boarded foe ! 

On his rough brow Remembrance fondly gleams : 

His brightened cheek thro 5 all its winkles smiles: 

While frequent 'cross his eye, his moistened sleeve 

Drawn hastily,, wipes off some starting tear, 310 

For you, ye Naval Warriors, you whose arms 
The trident sceptre of your Country's power 
Fearless sustain, and with it's terrors shake 
The shores of distant nations— yes, for you 
Your grateful Country frames the fondest cares, 31 5 



BLACK HEATH. 71 

What time, 3*011 Palace* reared its glistening domes, 

And on the borders of the elated Thames, 

Magnificient upon its pillars stood;, 

Then spake the patriot Monarch---" Not for me, 

" Tho' for the Sovereign of so fair an isle, 320 

sc A dwelling thus majestic, well might suit;— 

" Yet rather, let the veterans of the main, 

u Let those who on our widest empire bleed^ 



* Greenwich Hospital stands on the scite of a Royal Palace 
built by Humphry, Duke of Gloucester, and called Placentia or the 
Meinour of Pleasaunce. That palace was the favorite residence of many 
Kings and Queens. Henry VIII. was born at it, as were his children 
Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and King Edward VI. Charles II. 
intended to rebuild it, and completed one wing at the expence of 
.=636,000, but James II. was too much engaged in his bigotted and 
false politics, to attend to works of art, and it was left in that state 
until the reign of William and Mary. From that amiable Queen, 
originated the design of converting the palace into an hospital for 
disabled seamen ; by her persuasions, the plan of the rest of the 
edifice was rendered subservient to those purposes, but it was not 
yntil after her death that her intentions were put into execution,, 



72 BLACKIIEATH. 

sc Find here a home — find solace and repose : — 

ee Here let the voice of praise — their country's praise— 

" Sound loud and gladful :— here, let the cheering hand 

ec Their country's hand, sustain their drooping limbs, 

" Bind up their wounds and pour the generous balm 

" c Of patriotic love o'er all their pains I" 

O, could my verse the mighty theme sustain, 33G 
And like the flood of yonder copious stream, 
Roll upward, and with elevated course 
Bear Britain's Commerce, — then the Patriot Muse 
Might with her awfiil numbers aid my song,--- 
And as the ocean pours his mighty waves, 33& 

Dark with the cro tided sails of every port 
Upon the rising waters of the Thames, 
So thou, Celestial Harmony, should'st pour 
Thv resonant verse abundant with the fame 



BLACKHEATH. Sf3 

Of Britain's naval and commercial strength 340 

Into my daring accents :— Then,, these heights 

With ail their echoes should repeat my notes., 

These groves retain them and delighted Thames 

Command his vessels from their thundering sides 

To utter the deep cadence. But, to me 345 

Such awful strains belong not :— for, my hand 

That, unsupported, ventured to awake 

The British Lyre and to the lofty theme 

Essayed the music of its deep toned chords; — 

Weak— faultering— struck the notes with palsied hand :— 

The solemn notes, with cadence indistinct, 350 

TJpon the silent sighs of air expired, 

Yet while from this delightful hill I gaze., 
^Lnd trace the river as it bends it's course^ 



74 BLACK HEATH. 

Round many a headland ,-*- winding, slow, along* 353 

With gentle majesty, — while I behold 

The anchored vessels lie like clustering- towns 

Buoyant upon the waters— Or, the harks 

That dip their bending sails and onward dart 

Swift as, with moistened wings, the swallow skims 360 

Across the surface of a silent pool ;-— 

While yOnder naval palace rears sublime 

Its glistening cupolas, the noble home 

Of the bold seaman ! — where the mighty Queen, 

Elizabeth, who round these echoing coasts 363 

Extended her winged barriers, thunder-fraught, 

And shook the astonished empire of the deep, 

And claimed that empire, first drew vital air ;'*-— 

While thro 5 the cloud that stagnates in the west, 



* Queen Elizabeth was bora at the Palace of Placentia, on 
7th September, 1753. 



BLACKHEATH. ?§ 

Hound whose dark sides the smoky volumes roll, 370 

'Yon mighty city lifts his gleamy spires, 

And stretches his enormous bulk along 

The loud resounding borders of the Thames ;--- 

While wheresoe'er I turn, the world's great mart, 

With all the mingling interests of mankind, 315 

Appears before me, let me bolder sweep 

,A louder chord and, ardent, speak to thee, 

Albion, my country [—of thy Commerce speak— 

And call thy merchants to attend my strain ! 

Proud, wealthy, powerful Albion— placed by God 380 

Amid his world of waters, that thy hand 

Might hold secure the bonds of social good, 

And make the partial blessings of the sun 

Common to all his creatures;— O revere 

The solemn duties of this high behest !— S3q 

Distain not with Oppression,— jior with blood 



76 BLACK HEATH: 

Of guilty conquest j— nor with Slavery's tears,— 
Nor yet with sordid Avarice that sway, 
Which, like the wide diffusive hand of Heaven 
Should scatter plenty— and. o'er all the earth, 390 

Pour Sympathy,- congenial Interest, Love; 
Immeasurably forth. — -What time the voice. 
Omnipotent, of the Eternal shook 
Thy parted shores and rent thy chalky rocks, 
And thro' the dreadful chasm poured the deep seas, 395 
Loud shouts were heard in Heaven and Seraphs sang> 
'' Freedom and Justice and Commercial Power 
' Beneficent, uniting all mankind 
" By good reciprocal— '•yon Isle is yours ! 
iC Make ye it's hills and vallies ring with joy — 400 
*' With plenty crown its meadows, — let the Arts 
(( Frequent its paths delighted, and let Peace 
" Sit undisturbed upon it's lofty rocks-, 



1JLACKHEATH. 77 

Vb And smiling view the bulwark of the waves 

" That chafe their echoing bases. For, above 405 

" The cruel glory of the conqueror's fame, 

<c The splendid woes of triumph, and the shouts 

" That thro' depopulated regions roll 

" Their dreadful celebration,, — shall arise 

'" The Merchant's honoured name : — with blessings, he 

(C Shall vanquish nations, : — he shall strew the waste 410 

cc With generous plenty, and the barren rocks 

" Where the red sun upon the horizon gleams 

'" With torpid radiance, or where burning skies 

" Pour downward, vertical, their torrid fires;— 415 

Ci Tracks where no human ever breathed before, 

" Shall sound with population ; while subdued 

■*•' Nature herself shall yield and own the power 

- e Of human Reason:— the united power, 

" Of Interest, Benevolence and Art," 420 



VS BLACKHEATH 

Thus sang the sacred chorus : Freedom reared 
His beamy forehead 'mid the holy host, 
And fixing on these promised plains his sight, 
Smiled such irradiate transport, that the heavens 
Shone brightened, and the awful Source of Light 425 
Gave sign of gratulation !*--- Justice gazed., 
Joyful, as when prophetic Hope illumes 
The abyss of Time and pictures loveliest scenes 
With tints transcending Nature '.—Commerce rose 
More beautiful upon the lucid waves., 430 

Than young Bione, when suffusive light 
Empurpled all the Ocean where she stood ; 
And the bright drops, like pearls of orient hue, 
liolled o'er her polished limbs : more lovely far 



* The Earth 
pave sign of gratulation and each hill i Milto>\ 



BLACKIIEATH. 7? 

The Power of Commerce rose and smiled benign: 435 

The varying breezes swelled her floating vest 

And gently broke the sea's explainsive calm 

With silvery undulation : ---round her car 

In crouds the little nautili were seen 

Hoisting their filmy sails and o'er the waves 440 

Extending their innumerable fleet; 

While, armed like Love, appeared Magnetic Power, 

A cherub form., who shook his dingy wings, 

And shot his rapid arrows towards the north. 

And still are Freedom, Justice, Commerce ours ? 445 
Still does the independent strength of Truth 
Uphold thy throne, O, Britain?— -O remain 
Unsevered from fair Freedom, who alone 
Pours forth that reasoning Life, which animates 
Collective man,— those beams of Social Right 430 



SO BLACKHEATH 

That vivify with individual worth 

Each member of the state. Let Justice reign, 

With mighty arm uplifting the oppressed, 

And hurling the accurst oppresor down, 

E'en from the pinnacle of countless wealth ! 455 

Else, shall corrupted Commerce pine away, 

And bloated Luxury and Avarice seize 

Thy unprotected laws:— the stranger, then, 

With caution shall avoid thy dangerous marts 

And from his ports exclude thy specious sails, 460 

With plunder freighted, by the greedy hands 

Of cruel Rapine, and no longer stored 

With Manufacture's famed, and high wrought toil ! 

But while with Freedom and with Justice blest, 
Thou needest not fear the vaunts of envious powers. 465 
Tmc Commerce views her safety in those law§ 



BLACKHEATH, 81 

That blend the human duties and regard. 

Like heaven itself, each individual claim. 

Merchants of Albion, then, support those laws ! 

Courted by them alone, True Commerce here 470 

Wafts her whole wealth ; — here, centers her wide realm ;— 

Of which the vast circumference surrounds 

The human race. Whether the Atlantic waves 

Amid her far extended fleet she treads, 

While western breezes from her sunny breast 475 

Distend the full folds of her flossy robe 

And bend the high plumes of her tropic crown ; 

( Meantime the far extended fleet pursues 

Her wairy steps, their guide her sceptre cane 

Dropping luxurious sweets) — to you she comes ! — 480 

Or, like some bright Sultana, moves she forth 

From the secluded chambers of the East, 

L 



S3 BLACKHEATH. 

Where Merchants sit enthroned,— the Monsoon knowfr 

The appointed time, and from Arabia wings 

His odorous car to bear her onward :— slow — 485 

Sublime, she floats above the lofty prow 

Of some majestic vessel : — orient pearl 

Bedrops with snowy light her raven hair :— 

Her loose, light, silken stole, at every breath 

Of vagrant air, throbbing expands, and yields 490 

Fresh spicy fragrance to each scented breeze ; 

She comes to you,— to you in triumph leads 

The riches and the empire of the world ! 

For you, a ruder vest she not disdains, 

But dares the horrors of the dreary pole, 495 

Where the dark tempests, fearless of the sun, 

Roll their eternal adamantine waves, 

Clashing continual ! — direful dissonance ! 

The shaggy monsters of the dismal coast, 



BLACKHEATH. 



83 



Amid their periodic death, alarmed, 500 

Shake shuddering their hoary sides, and howl, 

And tremble thro' their trance. E'en there, for you, 

Intrepid Commerce urges the bold bark, 

In stormy chace, to track the enormous whale, 

That sports upon the surges, and on high 505 

Plays up his torrent-spouts upon the wind. 

She hurls the heavy harpoon spear, and holds 

The rapid cord, tenacious of its prey ; 

While the surrounding waves enchafed arise, 

And in tempestuous agony descends 510 

The tortured monster.— Faintly from the deep 

He lifts his panting bulk : — the billows foam 

With his convulsive pangs, and 'gainst his sides 

Break threatening :— while at every gasp he casts 

A double flood, tremendous, towards the heavens. 515 

Then swift another hurtling harpoon flies, 



84 BLACKHEATR 

And trembles in his palpitating hide : 

Again he sinks in Ocean's depths, — again 

Exhausted rises : in long sobs he sucks 

The sickening air, and slowly to the sky 520 

Throws a red deluge : dragged by the tightening ropes 

He moves constrained :— a crimson furrow streaks 

His lengthening wake :— when lo, a third time pierced, 

A third time plunging in the deep, he groans ; 

Then floats, upturned, upon a sanguine sea. 525, 

These toils undaunted Commerce dares for } r ou; 

Nor these alone :— for you she seeks the haunts 

Of every furry tribe ; whether amid 

Siberia's dreary deserts they conceal 

Their downy robes, the pride of regal pomp ;— 530 

Or sheltered in the pine-crowned rocks that spread, 

Their gloomy horrors o'er the unpeopled tracks 

Of the vast western continent, they hope 



BLACKMEATH. 85 

Concealment from the eager eye of man. 

For you she calls the savage Indian forth 535 

From dark retreats,, where, half the year engulphed, 

Beneath an alp of snow he dwells entombed, 

To traverse wilds immense, and to your marts 

Bring his rich spoils.— For you the fearful tracks 

Of dreary Afric's howling solitudes, 540 

Where the hot earth burns dreadful to the tread, 

And seas of sand roll on the fiery air, 

And thirsty Lions roar, and the dark Snake 

Rears high its panting throat, darts its dry tongue 

And hisses loud for blood ; — e'en there, for you, 545 

Roams eager Commerce : there the wily Moor 

Or darker Ethiop, or from Niger's shores 

People unknown by name, she fearless meets ;--- 

Or joins the wealthy Persians' wide array, 

When superstition and desire of gain 550 



86 



BLACKIIEATH. 



Blend their thick ranks, and move along the waste. 

Thus, every good, the growth of every clime, 

Unwearied Commerce heaps upon your shores; 

And bids all nations venerate that Isle, 

Which, like the eternal treasury of Heaven, 555 

Is with the blessings of mankind replete. 




BtJEHVOiK IN <iftLfc.NYVlGU-PARK„ 



BLACKHEATH i 



A MORNING WALK IN THE SPRING 



OF 



1804. 



CANTO FOURTH. 



XI ail Independant Mind ! whom every Muse 
Wooes, with celestial numbers, to her bower ; 
Where, with irradiate bloom, the eternal rose 
Bends o'er the never-fading amaranth, and sheds 
Perpetual odours on the ambrosial air !—- 
Hail, Independant Mind ! whom science loves, 
And leads, delighted, 'mid the wonderous works 
Of him who called existence from the void, 



88 BLACK HEATH. 

And breathed perception thro' the torpid clay ! 

Thee, Wisdom honours !— Virtue wings to thee 10 

Her anxious flight, and glows in thy embrace ! 

For thee, expressive Nature fondly spreads 

The dewy verdure, and the blossomed wreath ;— 

Fills the whole air with radiance ; ---tints the clouds 

With all that rich diversity of rays, 15 

In loose refraction, trembling thro' the sky ! 

O, may I frequent meet thee ! — whether Morn 

Unveil her blushing forehead, and the hand 

Of ardent Fancy strike the ethereal Lyre, 

Inviting thee o'er faintly-purpled hills ;— - 20 

Whether thou hear'st fair Evening, 'mid her shades, 

Wooe thee in whispers softer than the breeze, 

That fans the trembling foliage of the grove, 

Where Contemplation pours her soul to thee ;-— 

Whether amid the innumerable stars, 25 



BLACK HEATH. 89 

Whose rapid rays thro' all their distant tracks 

t)art trembling, thou pursuest unchanging- Truth> 

And, in the deep profound of Night, dost move 

Along the orbits of the wandering globes, 

Learning those laws ( Creation's awful bonds ) 30 

That sway Infinity ; — Or whether midst 

The walks of human life thou deignst appear, 

And hearst the murmurs of tumultuous day, 

And strivest to stem the impetuous flood of vice, 

That overwhelms the energies of Man •--- SB 

O may I frequent meet thee ! — frequent feel 

Thy sacred impulse elevate my soul, 

And, full of thee, contemn the oppressive world ! 

Hail, Independant Mind !-— for surely now> 
'Mid the pure air of such a radiant morn, 40 

M 



SO BLACKHEATH 

I see thee rising from the clouds of care, 

And, farther— Swifterr— than the solar beams, 

Darting the clear effulgent light of thought ! 

O might I win thee with some votive lay 

To shine with stedfast radiance o'er my path ! 45, 

The song of Rural Labour most thou lovest : — 

The song of Rural Labour ; when the Earth, 

Responsive to the cheerful toil of Man, 

Smiles wide around thro' all her waving plains. 

Nature herself gave Rural Labour birth :— 50 

And when she bade him, strenuous, seize the plough. 

And sow the broken glebe with peaceful wealth, 

Thou, Independent Mind ! around him — (like 

The animating presence of a God) — 

Divinely beamed : — beside him Freedom stood : 55 

Suspended on her spear, her helmet rung, 

In martial sport secure; — but, quick resumed. 



BLACK HEATH. 91 

Appalled each Tyrant with its awful gleam ! 

Then Meditation, Memor}-, and Song,, 

(The Muses' earliest names* ) pour'd solemn strains : 60 

They taught Mankind obedience to just Laws; 

Domestic duties ; — Patriotic Love ; — 

And the firm policy of social strength ! 

They sung the genial produce of the year ;— - 

The varying Heaven with its directing signs ;— 65 

Plenty and health ; gay vigour and content : 

While thou, delighted with the sacred lay, 

Glowed with diffusive fervour wide around I 

O would they now, descending on my path, 70 

From this rich prospect deign select their theme ; 



* Pausanias Musas tres connumerat, quas ait ab Aloei filiis 

Oto et Ephialte sic nominatas, primam scilicet M*Aet*)v, hoc est 
Meditationem: secundam MvyfAriv, hoc est Memoriam . tertiam 'Aoichy, 
hoc est Cantilenam, quod non rations carere videbit is qui rem altius 
scrutrfri voluerit. 

Li I. Greg. Giraldws de Musis, 



92 BLACK HEATH. 

This prospect, like Sicilia's lovely plains, 

Where Ceres first, with wheaten chaplet crowned, 

Enraptured, saw her long sought daughter raise* 

Her golden tresses o'er the yielding glebe, 75 

And for awhile, permitted, leave the throne 

Of gloomy Pluto for her Mother's arms ; 

This lovely prospect, like Sicilia's plains, 

Might bloom eternal in celestial verse ! 

O then might I, with imitative lore, 80 

Breathe forth the faintest cadence of their song, 

Then would I win thee, Inbependant Mind, 

To bless my Morning, and sustain my Day \ 

Nor will the Muses hence, in silence,, turn, 



* Proserpinam vero quasi segetem voluerunt, id est terram radicibus 

proserpentem, quoe et 'Ekuttj groece dicitur: ix.oc.Tov enim grace centum 

sunt: et ideo hoc illi nomen imponunt, quia centuplicatum Ceres 

proferat fructum. 

Tulgentii Mythoh 



BLACK HEATH 93 

Where in soft wavy verdure spread the banks 85 

Of yonder woodlands !— o'er the uneven ground 

(The long herbs throbbing to the gentle breeze) 

Contend the light and shadow, tremblingly :—- • 

Thro' every break, between the hillocks, streams 

Reflected radiance from the silvery Thames ; 90 

Or some swift vessel shews its snowy sails,, 

Quick glancing past.-— The beech and lofty oak, 

The azure fir proud of its pendant robes. 

And the fair ash bending its graceful form* 

Together blend their luxury of shade, 9.5 

Sprinkled with fluctuant lustre from tbe rays 

That pierce, half checked, amid the infant leaves. 

*Tis here the generous Merchant finds repose,— 

Courts Nature, — seeks that intellectual wealthy 

Which, from the stores of Taste and beauteous Truth,. 1 00 

Yields never-fading splendour : — here he weighs 



94 BLACK HEATH, 

The real worth of riches; — hears the claims 

Of Industry and Art ; and as the sun 

Throws from his orb of congregated light, 

Liberal, the beams of life; so from his stores 105 

The powerful Merchant spreads v/ith copious hand 

The social blessings round. The canvas breathes, 

For he sustains the artist : — The rough stone 

Melts into all the impassioned forms that fill 

The sculptor's mind ;— for liberate from care 110 

Each bright idea reigns with ardent force, 

And, like the great creative energy* 

Lives on the yielding marble. Nor alone 

The arts of Taste, but those of ruder mould, 

That purchase social life with urgent toil, 11& 

Encourag;ed by the Merchant, rise improved 

In honest emulation : hence the fleece 

With finer threads repays the shepherd's care^ 



BLACK HEATH. 95 

And from the loom in softer fabric spreads 

Its downy folds : and lience the eager plough 120 

Grasps with unwearied share the barren heath, 

Till Plenty smiles upon the vanquished glebe. 

And waves her wheaten tresses wide arpund, 

Won from the waste yon furrowed track extends 
Its teeming bosom, whence the human food 125 

Bursts forth from every pore ! Hail genial sight !tb 
On each green blade that struggles thro' the earth 
Hang blessings, drawn from Heaven by the prayers 
Of the delighted poor ! — For more— far more^ 
Is he the benefactor of mankind, 130 

Who wrests one acre from the steril waste, 
And bids the com supplant the plumy fern, 
^han he who strews his native plains with ore^ 



96 BLACKHEATH. 

And scatters with luxurious hand around 
The envied produce of each distant clime. 

Revel ye Rich, in foreign luxuries ;— - 135 

Unsated spread whate'er the glowing earth 
Yields to the fervour of the tropic sun 
Wide o'er your sparkling boards ; — but let the poor, 
Who on his country's bosom seeks his breads 
Not from his country seek that bread in vain ! 140 

False in the gorgeous splendour of that state^ 
Where the nutritious grain of foreign soils 
Groans on the wharf of speculative trade. 
Look round, and see how many wastes extend 
Their steril bosoms ; where the yellow broom 145 

The blushing eglantine^ and snowy thorn, 
Like beauteous braids around a harlot's neck., 
Spread useless; even where with matron pride,. 



BLACKHEATH. 97 

The Earth, espoused to Labour, should unveil 

Her breast redundant with her children's food. 150 

Come Agriculture, independant source 
Of public good, and vindicate thy claims ! 
The rugged mountain, and the desert plain, 
Demand thee : — and, with cries, the wretched poor 
Gaze, wistful, on the miserable wilds, Ibb 

Imploring thee to save them from the power 

Of cold, h ard-liear ted Avarice ! — O extend 

Thy fruitful conquests— thy benignant realm — 

And bid thy husbandmen, with proud content 

Of generous independance, scorn the gains 160 

That greedy Speculation wrings from Want. 

Remain there yet some spirits unseduced 
By wealth's pervasive pleasures ? Live there yet 



98 BLACKHEATH. 

Who coldly look upon their neighbour's pomp, 

And see, unemulous, the chariot grace 165 

The gate of haughty meanness ? — who can wrap 

Their limbs, unblushing, in their country's fleece ? — 

Who not disown the cottage ? — who not ask 

To steep in juices of the Hesperian vine 

That crust which Labour, with determined hand, 170 

Disdainful of submission, cheerful reaps 

From their abundant country's grateful soil ? 

— Preserve them, Guardian Angel of this Isle! 

Steel them against the taunts of bloated Pride, 

And with that independance that thou lovest, 175 

'Gainst all temptation fortify their hearts, 

For should a cruel mercenary power, 

Nursed in the bosom of successful trade, 

Pervade the realm with venal influence ; — 

Chill, poisonous, every patriotic vein, 180 



BLACKHEATH. 99 

And stifle e'en the eloquence of Truth ; 

Still may the State, with all its rights, revive, 

Deep rooted 'mid yon corn lands.— Those bold hands 

That hold the plough, and, independant, crush 

Their wants beneath the clods, — they shall support 1S5 

The crumbling fabric of corrupted laws ; — 

They, like their great forefathers, unsubdued,— 

Shall shout amid the storm (the hireling power 

Trembling upon its basis) cc Thou art safe 

<c Britannia!— fear not— thou shalt still be free !" 190 

Beside you blossomed brake, where the broad fern 
Rears high it's knotted tendrils, and o'erhangs 
The sand-pit's mossy ridge, a wretched man 
Drops down his weary limbs in short repose. 
His pendant rags display his shrivelled form, — 195 

His sunk eyes scowl with famine,— his deep brows, 



100 BLACKHEATH. 

Contracted with habitual misery, lour, — 

And o'er his forehead— o'er his hollow cheeks, 

Mingle disease and grief their sallow tints. 

— c Unhappy being, whom each human woe 800 

' Hath so severely wounded,— whence art thou?-— ■ 

c And whither tend thy feeble, sorrowing steps ? * 

" Alas, I strive to reach my native vale, 
** Hence distant many miles ; where fruitful Kent 
" Yields richest harvests to the labouring plough 205 
" Harvests, which oft these hands have sowed and shared. 
" There health and hope smiled on my youthful days ; 
iC And Love, with all his promises of joy, 
" Whispered soft transports to my throbbing breast. 
" Thither I drag this miserable frame £10 

" To pine out its sad residue of life 
" Upon narocl"**! a, w« *— **<* * oxr ^" ' " ', 



BLAOKHEATH. 101 

" Where, mouldering it may mingle with that dust 

ec Parental lessons taught it to revere, 

e: The dust of it's forefathers;- --if their grave, 215 

" That only spot that now retains their name, 

" That last inheritance, be not denied \ 

<c Say, would you hear the tale of my sad days ?.--- 

» Why, once possessed of land and well stored barns, 

ce I now implore the beggar's scanty boon> 220 

" And ask but to possess my father's grave! — 

" Attend ; — the tale is mournful, but not long. 

* c One proud, and cold of heart, whose, wealth had grown 

" By Indian plunder, purchased large estates, 

" Around my humble dwelling, He his gold 225 

" Proffered to me for those my cherished fields ;~— 

" Fields that our race, a hardy honest line, 

<c Had clung to for whole ages ; for with love 

(C Fond as the child, who on his mother's breast 



102 BLACKHEATH. 

" Presses sweet infant kisses, doted we 230 

tc Upon those lands, where, rooted like the oak, 

lc Our fair report extended far around. 

" But who transplants the oak ?— 'twere vain to hope 

" To tear it up uninjured from it's soil, 

" And see it yet survive : its sap would fail, 235 

" And thro' the arid boughs a feverish drought 

" Swift rushing, would devour the drooping leaves ; 

" Burn up the withering branches ; and in scars 

" Burst the dry bark, and scathe the lifeless trunk. 

" His proffers I rejected : — then he sought 240 

" Means more oppressive ; all the low revenge 

" That wealthy Pride imagines when despised : — 

" The tortured law was wrested from its sense 

" To rack the victim of determined power. 

" But British laws bend not with Indian ease : 245 

" The sentence of my honest jurors oft 



BLACKHEATIL 103 

ee Encouraged my resistance. Yet he still 

" Fostered new pleas ; — suborned a cringing* herd 

" Of perjured slaves ; and led from court to court 

" A dark, entangled, sophistry of claims, 250 

" Embarassing the law he could not bribe. 

ce Around my home he nurtured cruel lies, 

fl Soul-wounding injuries, to make me quit 

" My steadfast hold. Alas, resolved, I held 

" Too obstinately firm. I might have saved, 255 

<c By losing every sense of honest pride 

" In base submission, her I might have saved, 

" Who with torn nerves,all shuddering at my wrongs, 

<( Fainted and left me ; in her clay-cold arms 

f Bearing my clay- cold infant to that grave, — 280 

■' My father's grave !— the grave that shall be mine ! 

cc Cease agonizing memory, — cease regret ! 

" Heaven in compassion snatched them from my woes. 



104 BLACK HEATH. 

" And spread the impenetrable ealm of death 

" O'er all their sorrows ! — Yet would I repine,— 265 

" Yet frequent wish upon the breast of Love 

" To breathe my tortured spirit ;— frequent weep 

" That her closed eyes no longer shared my tears ; 

" That she no longer to my trembling lips 

" Prest my sweet infant, — for its future days 270 

" Uttering her fears in sighs ! — for who can bear 

" A load of sufferings for himself alone ? 

t( No, — 'tis for those we love, — for those on whom 

** Self rests each sense of happiness,— for those 

" We cherish hope, and struggle with the world ! 275 

v Deprived of them, the apathy of grief 

" O'erwhelms us,—- and our best resolves expire. 

ff Ruined by dark chicane, compelled I left 

t( My little patrimony ; — sought, in trade, 

** The sustenance of life.— Bankrupt in that,— 280 



BLACKHEATH. 105 

** For I had neither knowledge, care, nor hope, 

c * I sunk so deep in sorrow and in want, 

" That, as upon a worm, the feet of men 

" Seemed to tread on me ; and as one who was, 

" But is not, I was named.— Or, if I craved 285 

" The wretch's pittance, where I might have claimed 

» 

<f The kind return of friendship, I was spurned 
te And shaken off, as the foul spider is, 
" Who with his disembowelled thread adheres 
" To the disgusted hand. — What then remains ? 290 
" A few short days must end this pilgrimage ! 
*' Yes — when upon that earth which oft I've wooed 
" With cheerful labour ; — when upon that earth 
" Whose summer verdure gladdened all my toils ; 
Cf When there I shall have crawled, an outcast wretch, 
te A miserable stranger, without home, 295 

o 



ICG BLACKHEATH. 

fC Then will I quit this last, weak, hold of life. 
(c For there, what thoughts from Memory shall burst, 
et Rending the exhausted fibres of the brain 
" With dark recurring sense of blasted hopes;— 300 
" Of joys torn, bleeding, from the shattered heart; — 
a Where they were wound round Life !— O God, the past, 
'' The painful past, seems like some dreadful hand 
" Grasping my whole existence.— Yet awhile — 
" (I must not wrong of these poor bones that grave 305 
<( Which with parental fondness calls me home) 
« — O yet awhile, ye days that rend my souI> 
" And I will pass the bounds of wretched time, 
ft And mingle in eternity with you. 
t( Let me but reach the spot where once ye smiled, 310 
.*? Tho' black oppression curst ye as ye passed,-— 
" There let me drop, unheeded and despised I 
" The sacred spirits of the forms I loved, 



BLACK HEATH, 107 

f< My parents and my child, — my tender wife 

" Shall bii|d me welcome to my father's grave ! '* 315 

And are there groans like these in Britain's realm?— 
What, doth the very breath that fans the ear 
Of generous Freedom "bear such woeful plaints, 
And from her chosen sanctuary of laws, 
Doth Freedom hurl not vengeance on the head 320 

Of the Oppressor?— Powers of Social Right! 
Selected few, thro' whose exalted cares 
Millions of men sustain the claims of life, 
And independant each, — dependant still 
Upon the mutual duties of the whole, 325 

They form one great harmonious polity, 
The glorious wonder of enlightened man, 
The British Constitution ; — O reflect 
That universal Justice bade you save 



108 BLACK HEATH. 

( What time ye, first embodied at her call, 330 

Stood round her tottering throne ) the wretched poor 

From the rude grasp of Avarice and Pride ! 

Protect the husbandman with strongest law3 ! 

Rescue his pittance from the sordid hands 

Of base Monopoly S O let the field, 335 

Where Hope rejoiced beside his strenuous plough, 

And Plenty yielded to his glad embrace, 

While o'er his sickle bending, she would throw 

Her autumn tresses on his eager arm, — 

Be still his own !— Then, as the rooted vine 340 

Spreads forth its vigorous branches wide abroad, 

And hangs its clusters on the barren elm ; 

So should his sons, laborious, far around, 

People the waste ; and, with unconquered ploughs, 

Spread golden harvests o'er neglected plains, 345 

And clothe the rock's forbidding heights with corn. 



BLACK HEATH. 109 

He shall not ask in vain, who asks from Earth 
The wholesome food of Labour : — every want 
That Nature,, undepraved, hath laid on man, 
Shall fa!!., like noxious weeds, beneath the plough ; 350 
And in their stead shall genial blessings rise : 
Blessings of health, of freedom, of content,— 
Unpurchased pleasure, and remorseless joy ! 
This Lac on thought, when, sad, beneath the weight 
Of sorrow and of servitude, he bent, 355 

And saw his wife and famished infants clasp 
His shuddering bosom, and look up for food ! 
His eldest girl, Lirina, whose mild form, 
E'en in the garb of misery, graceful shone 
With beautiful simplicity, would ply 360 

Her tedious needle all the live-long day, 
And strive, with duteous tenderness, to smile 
Sweet comfort thro' a flood of glistening tears, 



110 BLACKHEATH. 

Ah ! how she loved, — and with how pure a flame 

The young Amyntas breathed their mutual hopes, 365 

She would almost forget ; — nor let a tear 

That had not for its source parental woe 

Mix with her parent's sorrows. — 'Twas her pride 

To soothe or bear their griefs, and but with them 

To think of happiness : Thus, o'er its root— 370 

Its wounded parent-root, the lily droops, 

Nor heeds the smiling morn, nor breathing eve. 

No, nor the dewy kisses of the air 

That sighs beneath the shade ;— but lowly bends 

Its tender form, sad, o'er its parent-root, 375 

With that recovers, or with that expires. 

'T.was hence that vainly all the hopes of Love, 

Which ardent youth imagines, flushed the cheeks 

And eloquently breathed from the warm lips 

Of young Amyntas :-— H ence it was that while 380 



BLACKHEATH. Ill 

His manly beauty, softened by the glow 

Of generous adolescence., spake in looks, 

(When from the faultering tongue the feeble words 

Trembled, unequal to the fervid sense ) 

It spake almost in vain. — Ere the soft blush, 385 

In bright confession, o'er her downcast face 

Mantled with orient hue, each gentle glance, 

That would have beamed with love, was lost in tears : 

Her parents sorrows mingled with her sighs, 

And, with a chill, that shuddered thro' her frame 390- 

Her mournful accents breathed a. cold adieu. 

Awed by such grief, Amyntas dared not urge 

His tender suit :-~-he saw its sacred cause ; — 

And, silent, felt his bosom's fondest hopes, 

Blending with thoughts of wretchedness, become 895 

Corrosive cares :— then first, he longed for wealth :-— 

Then first, perceived how small his humble cot, — 



112 BLACK HEATH. 

How scanty, and how poor, his laboured field. 
Anxious, and restless, with this new desire, 
He scorned the tardy harvest, — left his home, — 400 
And sought, in distant climes, those wealthy stores, 
That, healing all her wretched parents wants, 
Might soothe Lirina's sorrows into love, 

Meantime, by ruthless indigence subdued, 
The soul of Lacon stooped to supplicate 405 

For public aid : yet with the generous pride 
Of manly industry, and conscious power, 
That feels its natural aids within itself, 
If not denied their natural source, he thus, 
Honest of purpose, fearlessly addressed 410 

The rulers of his district : " I implore 
" The means of sustenance. — I starve : — and those, 
" Who call me father, sicken at my side. 



BLACKHEATH 113 

'V Yet, rank me not amid the abject crew, 
" That overwhelmed in vice, seek idle bread; 415 

'" Nor think I'd rob the aged and infirm 
" Of their poor pittance.— No :— --these hands inured 
<( To honest labour, ask the meed of toil : — 
. rf That bread with which relenting Earth rewards 
" The moistened brow of man.— Yon swarthy waste 420 
" Whose rugged delves, o'erhung with barren shrubs, 
" Yield to the straggling brute his scanty fare ; — 
" Yon waste, by human industry subdued, 
te Might haply teem with human nutriment ! 
" . Grant me a spot of that neglected soil : — 42S 

fe The morning dew, — the cheerful sun,— -the rain, 
rr And all the aids that heaven delights to grant 
" To him who struggles with the earth for food, 
" Shall, on the opening furrows, bounteous, smile, 

p - ■■ -• ■■ .,-,.•- -■' • • - '' 



114 BLACKHEATH, 

fc And bless my efforts :— -soon the tender root, — 43Q 

V The blossomed herb, — and e'en the nodding sheaf,—* 

" ( The plenty of content ) shall be our own ! 

" Well-pleased ye shall behold our humble hut 

fe Encircled with its blessings :— ye shall hear 

*' The mingled gratitude to you and heaven 435 

" Hymned from our cheerful hearts. — So shall ye raise 

ff (And, with unburdened bounty, raise) from woe 

' f Him, and his fainting wife, and wretched babes ; 

<e Who, else dependant on parochial alms, 

" Must eat the bread of charity and scorn, — » 44Q 

•' Loathing the very life your cares sustain ! " 

He spake, and gain'dhis prayer : — For wlio with-holdfi 
The consentaneous wish and favouring aid 
From generous Industry ? — Who not applauds, 
When* firm* relying on itself and heaven, 445 



fciAcKHEATfr in 

*¥he human soul looks fearless upon life, 

And dares trace out its individual path, 

Not separate> — yet its own ? — Cruel is he, 

Lost to all sense of social good, whose hand, 

Stifling the honest pride of conscious worth, 450 

Restrains the independance of the poor. 

Not dark of soul, oblivious of mankind, 
Involved in self, were those who heard the prayer 
Of humble Lacon. They, with mild accord, 
And contribution of such present aid, 455 

As might procure him implements and food, 
Placed future good within the reach of toil, 
And gave exertion hope. Where thro 5 the sands, 
A bubbling stream pursued its channelled course, 
Banked with light ridges of the crumbling glebe, 460 
And skirted with loose herbage, they assigned 



116 BLACKHEATH. 

The basis of his wishes. Straight arose 

The thatch of interwoven boughs; — the walls, 

Clay-built, but bright with chalk, that 'gainst the sun 

Shone cheerful ;— -and the willow fence, still green 46& 

With its surviving foliage, twisted round. 

Ah, what sensations mingled in the smile, 

With which the parent saw his infants' hands 

Toil sportful,— rending up the matted weeds ; 

The thorny furze ; the heath, and shadowy fern. 470 

To him they seemed as if from Nature's breast 

Their little fingers tore away the veil, 

To press her milky treasures.— Now the spade, 

Incessant labouring, shakes the adhesive sod, 

'Till freely each expanded pore imbibes 475. 

The fragrant air ; the softly oozing dew ; 

The life-exciting heat, and genial showers. 

The powers of vegetation feel the aid ; 



BLACKHEATH. 117 

Where long supine they spread their stagnate veins 

Thej now, with vivifying force, rolled on. 480 

To them confided, lo, the embrio bursts 

Its husky shell, and hastens to indulge 

In draughts of generous light:— the sprouting root 

Protrudes its eager fibres, and connects 

Its wide prolific family beneath 485 

The fostering mould :— -the plant of firmer stem 

Draws, thro its myriad tubes, the vital streams, 

Breathing with ample leaves the ambient air. 

How anxiously he watched each tender growth 
When from the humble duties of the day, 493 

Which now were brightened with the thoughts of home, 
A home replete with hope, cheerful he came. 
His bosom's partner, soothed by happier scenes, 
Bade thro' their I ut congenial neatness smile, 



118 BLACK HE ATrf. 

And blythe domestic comfort : — crowding round, 495 

The joyous children told their mirthful tasks; — 

The weeded borders ;— -or the high-piled furze;— 

Or headstrong swine (his generous master's gift,*) 

Which strayed from home, the whole surrounding troop 

In lodse array, could scarce, with urgent shouts > 500 

Amid the brakes and brambled paths constrain. 

But ah, how sweet w r as his Lirina's voice 

Uttering the mixed sensations of her soul ! 

A tender slip of vine and ruddy plum, 

Her pleasing charge, already spread their leaves $05 

Around the lattice : — o'er an arboured seat, 

Her chief delight, she taught the twining bean 

To wind its scarlet bloom : and, round an arch 7 

Of twisted willows, bade the woodbine creep, 

With the rose-blossomed briar ; while, below, 510 

TUe saffron stertion skirted the rich sides 



BLACKHEATFL 119 

Mixed with the pea's bright purple. There she'd sit, 

With mild attention to her needle's toil, 

While her food mind indulged its wandering thoughts : 

fhere would its fears, anxieties, and hopes, 51j? 

Winged with surmises, stretch their rapid flight. 

With tender interest in Amyntas' fate. 

Less widely circling flies the eager dove— - 

Floats, wheeling on still pinions ; or from high, 

In spiral flight ascending, darts her gaze 520 

O'er distant regions, anxious for her mate ; 

Whom, or the ruthless fowler, or the kite, 

Hath made his bleeding prey :-r-in vain r she soars — 

In vain she winds her still repeated roundr— 

Cooes loud and mournful ; while the dew of eve 52$ 

Drops on her heavy pinions, and she moans. 

Alone and wakeful, 'mid her native grove; 

And thus, with more extensive flight of mind. 



120 feLACK HEATH. 

The tender maiden fondly thought of him, 

For whom, 'till now, she had not dared to sigh. 530 

Meantime the circling years, each than the last 
More bountiful of good, round Lacon's cot 
Redundant bloomed : — the luxuries of toil, 
Gay vigour, blythe content, and ruddy health, 
Empurpled the bright cup of industry. 535 

Still in each year remembered rose that day, 
( An annual festival)— the day, which gave 
Strength to his hope, and ardour to his toil. 
With it, o'er Lacon's cheerful mind arose 
Renewed sensations :— -pious gratitude, 540 

The tender memory of vanquished woe, 
And generous exultation (virtue's pride, 
Her just designs accomplished.) — For that day 
Lirina's hands had ranged the cheerful feast, 



BLACK HEATH. 121 

Iter arbour, rich with Nature's brightest tints, 545 

Brilliant with sunshine,— breathing" with perfume, — 

Received her parents ; while the genial board. 

Crowned with the sweets of Labour, stood beside, 

Surrounded by a sprightly youthful troop. 

Then honest Lacon, on whose hardy front 550 

Beamed fond emotions, unrepressed, and full, 

Looked up to Heaven with fervour, and exclaimed, 

sc Thank God we eat the happy bread of toil ! 

te Thank God — for he hath blessed us ! When he gave 

fC Labour and Earth, he gave us every good! — 555 

ie My children, my loved children, ask no more ! 

■ ef While ye have earth, determined hands, and heaven, — 

" Look in yourselves for joy, and ye shall find 

(( Such honest transport as your father feels ! " * 



* I should wrong the above Episode of an interest due to it, were 
I to with-hold from my reader, that the principle incident is founded on a 



122 BLACKHEATH. 

As he thus spake, he pressed their lifted hands, 560 
And, with a glance that uttered happiness, 
Smiled on their mother :--- e'en Lirina's heart 
Throbbed with the gentle sympathy of joy ! 
When lo, a sigh was heard, that pierced her soul ; 
And thus a mournful, well-known voice exclaimed — 565 



fact which occurred under my own observation. A gardener, employed 
at a large school in the county of Kent, was reduced by sickness and 
the encumberance of a numerous family to the utmost distress. The 
workhouse seemed his only resource. To his master, who was officia- 
ting minister at the Parish Church, he ventured to regret that he had 
not possessed a small piece of ground, by the cultivation of which, he 
was confident he could have supplied all his wants. The Clergyman 
perceived that the genuine honest industry of nature dictated the idea, 
and with real benevolence determined to support it. He encouraged 
the man to apply at a vestry meeting, for a piece of waste ground 
belonging to the parish, and seconded his application. The ground 
was granted : a contribution was proposed ; and the young gentlemen 
of the school raised, among themselves a considerable sum. A cottage 
was built similar to that described in the poem, and there the gardener 
and his family reside, and are rising to a degree of prosperity which, 
but a few years ago, was beyond their utmost expectations. 

Such examples as these are numerous in Mr. Pratt's notes to his 
poem of ' Bread, or the Poor.' To them, as well as to the excellent 
observations which he deduces from them, I refer my reader. 



BLACKHEATH 123 

cc O Lacon, may these sordid hands approach 

*' Thy hallowed board ? — ah no ! — I feel how poor,— 

" How mean, — how servile, are those stores of wealth, 

(C Won by destructive, and rapacious cares ! 

" False wealth l— thou art not worth Lirina's love 570 

" Her father's wants despise thy feeble aid :--- 

" His strenuous arm hath cancelled them for joys,— 

tc Joys that thou canst not equal ! — Yet permit 

lc This wealth, sweet maid, in thy instructed hands 

" To succour thousands '.—teach it how to bless ! 575 

" Teach it to raise the cot,—- to plant the waste, — 

" To animate the hopes of arduous toil, 

cc And people, with content, the desert plain ! 

" O be my better angel ! — Be my guide ! 

(C Revive Amyntas with thy heavenly smiles ! 580 

" Restore him to himself !— scatter this gold 

,e With open hand ; as when the farmer throws 



124 BLACKHEATH. 

ec Wide o'er the furrowed field the fruitful corn fcfo 
<c The harvest shall be happiness and love !" 

While he yet spake, the quick recurring blush 585 
Spake the soft tumult of Lirina*s soul ! 
Upon her mother's bosom, half concealed., 
Hung down her burning cheek ;— yet her fond eye 
Upon Amyntas fixt its humid gaze ; 
As one who marks a new discovered star, 59$ 

And fears to lose it in the expanse of heaven ! 

While thus her father to the youth replied — 
" Welcome Amyntas— welcome to a home, 

cc Of which thy heart acknowledges the worth ! 

ec The independant home of gay Content ; 595 

cl Where the light wants of Nature gently rouse 

ce The genial cares, and summon healthful toil 

cc To meet the kindling morning, and imbibe 






BLACKHEATR m 

u The freshening moisture of the opening earth ! 

" Welcome ! — who feels the worth of such a home 60Q 

u Cannot have heaped the spoils of eager guilt : 

"■ Wealth, when by just, benignant, Commerce given, 

ce Is both the produce, and the source of good !— 

" Welcome, fond Youth ! and bear a father boast:— 3 

" And tho* thou hast a lover ? s ardent tongue, 605 

" Yet shalt thou not outpraise me in my theme I 

" A real treasure I bestow on thee ! 

" Tho' thou hadst gold in heaps that touched the heavens, 

" And orient gems unnumbered as the stars — 

" Thou couldst not match my gift!— -he whose blest hand$ 

se Consign a duteous daughter to her spouse, 61 Q 

' ( Bestows a pledge of every earthly bliss T 

Ce Forgive me if I yield thee this, with tears ! 

" Fond confidence, domestic love, content, 

<e Unsullied health, longlife^ protecting heaven, 615 



126 



BLACKHEATH. 



'■ Fulfil each hope that from your father's heart 
" Breathes in this prayer—" The Eternal Father 
bless you ! " 

He said : and left LirJna's trembling hand 
Locked in her lover's ;— -left her blushing cheek., 
That, while he spake,, clung fearful to his arm, 620 

Reclined, all yielding, on Amyntas' breast ! 




GATEWAY IN VANBURGH FIELDS. 



BLACKHEATH 



A MORNING WALK IN THE SPRING 

OF 

1804. 



CANTO FIFTH. 



.Alas, how rapid fly the matin hours ! 

Hours by the muse beloved ; — hours mild and pure, 

Wide shedding round their tender influence, 

As grateful to the soul, as is the warmth 

Of their new beams to every opening flower ; — 

As are their robes of renovated light 

To all that live ! — O yet, ye gentlest hours, 

Ye balmy-winged companions of the Muse, 

O yet, ere fervid Day, with ail its cares. 



128 BLACK HEATH. 

Usurp jour pleasing- empire, breathe the calm 10 

Of mental independance o'er my breast ! 

For in the circlet of jour hands alone, 

What time je from the East jour earlj dance 

Lead forth, with smiles of jocund innocence 

Purpling the expanded heavens, exists that flame 15 

That wakes the soul to Nature and the Muse ! 

'Tis now luxurious Pride and eager Care 

Overwhelmed, in restless langour, fearful lie, 

And struggle for repose. The scalding tear.. 

That from the eye of Misery all night long ^0 

Moistene4 the sleepless pillow, ceases now, — 

And round its arid, slowly-closing fount, 

Float dreams of hope, light-shaken from your wings I 

Thrice happy ! happiest of the human race 
Is he who with the ascending lark beholds 25 



BLACK HEATH. 129 

Your starry-foreheads. Hours of Morning., beam 

Clear o'er the shadowy twilight J-- 1 -- who the grass. 

Brilliant with dew, or web-envelloped moss, 

Treads unconfined, what time your softest rays 

O'er every dew-drop, and each silvery web, 30 

Blithsome ye throw !— for whom the blossomed Heath, 

Conscious of you, with fragrant incense steams, 

And fills the brightening ether, not in vain, 

With breathing sweetness : — whom, the living song, 

Chirped quick, or warbled thro' connecting notes, 35 

Inciting you, ere yet your yellow hair 

Floats, glistening, on the horizon's vapoury bounds., 

Wins to sweet sense of lively melody. 

To him the world, with its commingling griefs, 

Its hopes, its terrors, like a distant storm, 40 

Which, long foreseen, the sheltered herdsman views, 

R 



130 BLACK HE ATR 

And with reefed sails the wary seaman braves. 

Appears undreaded. Wisdom, Virtue, Truth, 

And vigorous Health, and independant Mind, 

Confessed in all their beauteous forms, with you, 45 

Ye best of Hours, instruct and animate 

His ardent breast to meet the cares of day ;--- 

To see his hopes fall round him unconcerned ; — 

To feel the scorn of Pride without a groan ;— 

To view, without a fear, the front of want ;— 5Q 

And struggle 'gainst oppression, tho', with arm 

Gigantic, it would crush him to the earth. 

O Thou, best, only, source of human bliss, 
Pervasive Soul ! — etherial radiance !— God !■ — 
From whose eternal presence, these chaste Hours, 55, 
Walk forth in all thy purity, — vouchsafe 
To let their influence rest on me this day ! 



BLACKHEATH. 131 

Let that great sense of thee, which glows in them, 

Support me !-— nor permit the mental part, 

That thinks within me, and thy essence claims 60 

By sympathy with the creative good, 

Which, softened, vivifies the tender morn, 

Sink low, debased, beneath a tyrant world ; 

But thro 5 its duties, fearless, let it move, 

Thyself, the Muse, and Science, all its joys ! 65 

Whither would'st thou my vagrant steps entice, 
Sweet Spirit of Expression, gentle Muse, 
(If thou indeed dost hover o'er my path, 
And deign'st impart thy numbers to my lay, 
Breathing ideas from every living scene ; ) 70 

O, whither would'st thou turn my truant feet, 
When toil, and care, and duty call me home ? 
Would'st thou, along the river's breezy bank 5 



132 BLACKHEATH. 

Admire the light that seems to mount each wave, 

Then backward rolls, refulgent, from the shore ? 73 

Or watch the dark cloud with its hasty shower 

Thrown pattering on the bosom of the Thames ? 

Or catch the varying objects floating round, 

And fix them with the pencil of the mind ?■?-- 

Rocked by the unsteady stream, the tilting boat 80. 

Straining its anchored bow ;--- the flying sail, 

Now dingy with deep shadow, now, with beams 

Of snowy brightness, glistening o'er its course ; — 

The grey-winged sea-gull, that, along the waves, 

Stoops in slow flight, and dips her mottled plumes, 85 

And flaps her heavy pinions as she soars ; — 

Or, would'st thou lead me o'er the verdant marsh, 

"Where, 'gainst the urgent waves embanked, it spreads 

Its flowery herbage : there, the plover skims, 

With wailful cry, along the sedgy dykes ; 90 



BLACKHEATH. 133 

And water-locusts, on pellucid wings 

Azure or green, flit, circling, o'er the stream, 

Or, lightly settling on the tremulous reeds, 

Spread their cerulean vans, like glossy leaves 

Of some rich flower; 'till, quick, they glance away 95 

In fluttering chase, pursuing or pursued, 

There the black oxen browze the lofty grass 

In pictured groups ; or on the clammy mound 

Stray singly, lashing slowly from their sides 

The buzzing swarms that rise along their path.* 100 

Or yon romantic slopes would'st thou attempt, 

Where, down each dark declivity, rich shade 

Lies in broad folds ?--- Lo, there, with pendant boughs^ 

The thick shrubs cling, and straggling oaks protrude 



* and from his sides 

The troublous insects lashes with his tail, 
Returning still. 

Thomsons Summer, 



134 BLACK HEATH. 

Their pollard trunks, with ivy close enwreathed ; 105 

While slender ashlins, o'er the stony brow, 

Bend their grey stems, and quiver in the breeze. 

There, the loud cuckoo rings her double chime, 

• 

While, softly sweet, the blackbird fills the air 

With amorous descant, and the chattering jay, 110 

On streaky plumage, rustles thro' the wood. 

Or would 'st thou wander where the turrets rise 

Of Charlton's fane, where deeper foliage spreads, 

And Cultivation, with luxuriant vest, 

Robes the rich height : on this side, numerous hills 115 

More rudely heave their rugged, chalky, forms, 

And the dark, hollow, valley sinks, between, 



Its fearful depths : there, the wide-wandering sheep , 

Climb the steep sides, and bleat along the ridge. 
There, oft, within some cavity obscure, 125 

Where the chalk crumbles, and the sallow smoke 



BLACKHEATH. 1.35 

Rolls heavy from the calcined lime below,. 

The wizard gypsies, and their bantling crew, 

Huddle together thro' the stormy night; 

Heedless of ill, their stolen feast enjoy ; 125 

And slumber sound, tho' loud the rattling blast 

Beat on their canvas awning, and the elm. 

Whose fibrous roots creep thick across their cave. 

Creak fearful as it rocks above their heads. 

O might I rove with thee, sweet Power of Song,, 
And trace each aspect of the varying hours :— 130 

Whether the broad impervious flood of noon, 
A radiant ocean, drown the southern hills, 
And pour, refulgent, o'er the dazzling meads ;— 
Or evening draw the fretted clouds aslant, 13$ 

Marking the ethereal current of the breeze, 
In silvery stripes, what time the crescent moon, 



136 BLACK HEATH. 

Light glimmering, trembles thro' their floating ranks;--- 

Or, in deep masses, indistinct and vast, 

The broken darkness rolls along; the vales, 140 

And every sound, slow-undulating, spreads, 

Filling the hollow concave of the heavens, 

As tho' the solemn footsteps of the night 

Stopped, pausing, 'mid the echoes of the hills. 

Then might I frequent climb yon tower crowned steep,* 

And yield to thee and Fancy every thought, 

Wide wafted on the rapid solar beams, 

That glance across the prospect; — or, amid 

Shadows confused, far mingling their loose forms 

O'er the uncertain objects, musing mark 150 



* Shooter's Hill. The tower upon Shooter's Hilly was erected 
by the Lady of Sir William James, in commemoration of the taking 
of Severn-Droog Castle, on the coast of Malabar, April 2nd, 1755. 
It is built after the model of the Indian fortress, and its vestibule is 
ornamented with armour and trophies taken there by Sir William. 



BLACKHEATH. 137 

Each indistinct, faint murmur of the world; 

Smile at tumultuous Folly's eager cares ; 

And scorn the insatiate wants of clamorous Vice. 

Nature with mental pleasure fills each hour* 

And pours a current of perpetual joy 155 

Thro' all her vast variety of scene : 

Each moment, silent, works some magic change, 

And the whole day, diversified, invites 

The unwearied admiration of mankind ! 

"What then the year ? — its variegated months, 160 

Its seasons, stronger marked, that touch the mind 
With such fond awe, that e'en the insensate owns 
The great creative spirit as it moves, 
Eternal, thro' its infinite of forms. 

Then whether Summer reign ; or bloomy Spring : 
Or jocund Autumn, 'mid his golden sheaves, 
s 



138 BLACKHEATH. 

Who, with delicious blush of mellow fruit, 

Laughs merrily, e'en while the genial power, 

His every end accomplished, slow retires, 

And shakes the withering foliage from his robes ;— 170 

Or Winter, wide across the glittering scene, 

Shower lucid snow ; while, rising in the north, 

The keen winged breezes beat their crackling plumes, 

Scattering the pointed frost drops thro' the air, 

And o'er the rattling boughs, suspended thick, 175 

The dripling crystal sparkles in the sun; — 

Thou should'st not call me, Gentle Muse in vain : 

No — thro' all Nature's paths I'd follow thee, 

Could I but burst the torpid chain of want. 

Then whatsoe'er thy theme ; — the heath — the mead — 180 

The murmuring streamlet, or the boisterous wave — 

The wood-'-the lake^— the mountain — valley — rock— 

The stormy clouds — the winds — the orbs of heaven*— 



BLACK HEATH. 139 

Or life in all its forms — or human mind,— 

The expanding bosom and enlightened soul ; — 185 

Whate'er thy theme, I'd yield each thought to thee, 

Wooe all thy impulse, Thou expressive Power; 

Till the full utterance trembled on my lips, 

And raised my hymn thro' Nature to her God ! 

Then, might I not refrain to climb the brow 190 
Of yon broad hill, where India's captive tower * 
Frowns> like a bondaged giant, o'er the steep, 
Who, mocked with trophies of his former strength, 
Is borne aloft, the triumph of his foe. 
Then, when the Spring, as now, with wanton wreaths 
Blossoms the boughs, and o'er the enlivened mead 195 
Scatters light verdure, scatters tinted flowers, 
Scatters soft fragrance on each ambient gale, 

# Shooter's Hill. See the note at verse 145. 



140 BLACKHEATH. 

Scatters prolific moisture from the sky 

While playful sunbeams dart amid the showers,, 200 

Oft may I, from yon hill,, on evening's beams 

Gaze with delight, what time, with faintest glow 

The expiring purple trembles o'er the sky, 

And scarce those topmost battlements preserve 

The last pale glimmer of departed day. 205 

Then, 'mid the shrubs that skirt the sloping ridge, 

And rudely vest the rugged steep beneath, 

The blackbird sings his vespers ; and the thrush, 

Whirring thro' every coppice, pours his note 

With wilder cadence :-— then, each object round, 210 

In soft succession, seems to fade away, 

And tender shadows, deepening as they blend, 

Roll slowly upward from the darkened vales, 

Cling to the hills, and on the cloudless air 

Steam, mantling, 'mid the lingering flush of day. 215 



BLACKHEATH. 141 

Yet still the dim, uncertain, scene delights ;--« • 

While, fearfully obscure, a shapeless mass 

Of houses, hills, and woods, o'erwhelms the scene. 

The slender spire of Eltham seems to pierce 

Thro' the deep gloom ; and, in their misty forms, 220 

Yon rows of elms spread with enormous shade : 

Where, with incessant voice, the busy rooks 

Flit o'er their airy dwellings :— wide around 

The glimmering tapers glance their feeble beams : — 

The lattice flashes with the wavering blaze %%$ 

Of the blown embers :-— o'er the river rolls * 

A gleamy mist :-— the vessels, still discerned^ 

Move heavily along ; while, here and there, 

The lamp's pale radiance glitters on the waves >-- 



% .....the dim-seen river seems 

Sullen and slow, to roll the misty wave. 

Thomson, 



142 BLACK HEATH. 

E'en yon vast city, to the attentive eye, 230 

Swells shadowy, with it's high cathedral dome, 
Majestic, like some towering, sculptured, rock 
That dents the horizon of the Indian main. 

A deeper flow of shadow, eastward, plays 
In dusky folds, and o'er the landscape curls 235 

tts vapoury forms :— -there, travellers are heard 
With hasty footsteps echoing on the path : — 
The distant wheel — the hoof resounding quick— - 
At intervals disturb the silent air :--- 
And, frequent, where the waves encurve their course 240 
A soft light sparkles : — o'er the leafy banks 
A snowy brilliance, hesitating, floats ; — 
Or on these lofty turrets, glittering rests : 
A brightening azure mantles o'er the heavens :— 
The Horizon shines intense ; — and soon appears, 245 



BLACKHEATH, 143 

In all the placid splendour of her beams, 

The broad orbed moon, who throws o'er all the scene, 

In mild suffusion, her irradiate calm. 

Nor when the fervid Summer thro' the air 
Elances swift the lucid shafts of heat, 250 

Would I neglect to climb this glowing height, 
Tho' then the dazzling ether, full of Noon, 
Stream thro' the tepid scene :— then, rich around,, 
The glossy verdure, streaked with gaudy tints, 
Flaunts in the light, or, where the mowers bend 255 
O'er the wide sweeping circuit of their scythes^ 
Falls in thick wavy heaps, and sheds abroad 
Soft balmy odour as, embrowned, it dies. 
Yet, 'mid the million tribes of bladed grass, 
That with their dewy green invest the fields, %SQ 

But one, of all the expiring mead, emits 



144 BLACKHEATH 

The fragrant spirit that pervades the whole ;— 

So as the scythe of Death, tremendous, sweeps 

Among the generations of mankind, — 

The few, alas the very few, who seek 265 

The generous fame of virtue, and exalt 

The ethereal vigour of expanding soul 

Above the torpid crowd, those few alone 

Embalm whole ages with their sacred names, 

And shed rich odours o'er the fields of Time ! 270 

But whither leads the Muse my vagrant thoughts ? 
Why thus seduce me from diurnal toil ? 
Why thus, with voice more sweet than when the lute 
Swells full of Love throughout the Italian night, 
Excite my soul to leave its world of woe, 275 

And wing its flight up yonder hill with thee ?— * 
Alas, not now : — a happier day may come 



BLACKHEATR 



145 



(So Hope, deceitful still, yet still believed, 
In siren music, whispers)— -yes — a day 
When, free from pale anxiety, each thought 
May dart to thee delighted, and partake 
The living impulse kindled by thy touch 
O'er all the varying works of Nature's power ! 



280 




IRON BRIDGE IN LEE VALE. 



JLUMEWA 



Cfje Ancient SrtttsI) battle. 



A POEM. 



Agmen agens equitum, et florentes sere catervas 
Bellatrix : non ilia colo, calathisve Minerva? 
Foemineas assueta manus ; sed praelia virgo 
Dura pati 

Virg. Mn. FIT. S04. 



PREFACE. 

JL he following poem lias completed more than an 
Horatian term since its composition. It was designed 
to be the first of a series of poems illustrative of the 
manners of the inhabitants of this island at different eras. 
The plan required much attentive study; and more 
extensive references than have been in my power to 
bestow upon it. And as I would not venture to insult 
the understanding of my readers with imagery unsup- 
ported by any stronger historical documents than such 
as are obtained in a very desultory and interrupted course 
of reading, I desisted ; and ought even now, perhaps, 
to apologize for intruding this attempt at depicting an 
Ancient British Battle upon the notice of a well 
informed public. However, to resort to the old excuse 
of private approbation, I feel myself emboldened to 
liberate from my desk a piece, which, I confess, has 
been a favourite with myself during its long confinement; 
and in which those, who have condescended to peruse it, 
discover more merit than in the other compositions of its 
author. 

The alterations have been numerous and founded 
generally on the judgment of others ; 

in Metii descendat judicis aures : 



ii PREFACE. 

nevertheless, as the characteristics of the time in whicli 
the fable is laid are those of ferocity, the features of the 
poem, will, perhaps, be considered as too strongly 
marked, by those, whose taste is formed entirely upon 
the polished delicacy of the ancient classics, or is vitiated 
by the effeminate langour of modern phraseology. With 
such, I have no other plea than a reference to the above- 
mentioned characteristics of the times in which the fable 
of the poem is laid ; and it is scarcely necessary to quote 
airy" ancient author for proofs on which to found the just- 
ness of my delineations. The little that is known to us 
of a period involved in barbarism, has been so often 
repeated by 'our own historians, and those of the 
neighbouring nations, that almost every reader is ac- 
quainted with the manners of the ancient Celtic and 
British tribes. The following extract from Tacitus may 
not, however, be unacceptable. He is describing the 
manners of the ancient Germans, by whose emigrations 
many of the eastern districts of Britain are supposed to 
have been peopled ; and particularly those of the Iceni 
and Trinobantes, comprehending Norfolk, Suffolk, Es- 
sex, &c. and to which the scene and characters of the 
ensiling poem immediately belong. 

" Munera non ad delicias muliebres quaesita, nee quibus nova 
nupta comatur: sed boves, et frenatum equum, et scutum cum 
framed, gladioque. In hajc munera uxor accipitur, atque invicem ipsa 
armorum aliquid affert. Hoc maximum vinculum, hcec arcana sacra, 



PREFACE i£| 

hos conjugates deos arbitrabantur. Ne se mulier extra virtutum 
cogitationes, extraque bellorum casus putet, ipsis incipientis matrimo- 
nii auspiciis admonetur, venire se laborum, periculorumque sociam, 
idem in pace, idem in prselio passuram, ausuramque. Hoc juncti 
boves, hoc paratus equus, hoc data arma denuntiant. Sic vivendum, 
sic pereundum, accipere se qu«e liberis inviolata ac digna reddat, qua? 
nurus accipiant, rursusque ad nepotes referant."* 

Tacitus de muribus Germ. 

To which I shall add a passage from Luean, descriptive 
of the Druids and Bards. 

■" Vos quoque qui fortes animas, belloque peremtas 
Laudibus in longum vates demittitis sevum, 
Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi. 
Et vos, barbaricos ritus, moremque sinistrum 
Sacrorum, Dryidje, positis repetistis ab armis : 
Solis nosse Deos, et casli Nuraina vobis, 
Aut solis nescire datum : nemora alta remotis 
Incolitis lucis : vobis auctoribus, Umbrae 
Non tacitas Erebi sedes, Ditisque profundi 



* These (marriage) gifts are not adapted to female delight, nor such as thp 
bride can make use of as ornaments: but oxen and a comparisoned horse: a shield, 
a spear and a sword. In' these presents consist her espousals; while she, in return, 
brings some piece of military furniture to her husband. This they consider the 
most indissoluble bond, — these are their solemn mysteries — their conjugal divinities. 
Lest a woman should fancy herself free from the consideration of the virtues, free 
from the accidents of war, she is admonished, by the very introductory ceremonies 
of matrimony, that she enters it as an associate of labours and dangers; the same as 
his must be her duties in peace, the same as his her toils and exploits in battle. 
This the yoked oxen, the harnessed steed, the presented weapons inculcate. In 
these she beholds her life, in these her death. She receives those things which 
inviolate and respected she may deliver to her offspring : which the wives of her sons 
may again receive, and preserve to the children of her children. 



iv PREFACE. 

Pallida regna petunt : regit idem spiritus artus 

Orbe alio : longa?, canitis si eognita, vitre 

Mors media est. Certe populi, quos despicit Arctos, 

Felices errore suo, quos ille timorum 

Maximus baud urget lethi metus : inde ruendi 

In ferrum mens prona viris, animasque capaees 

Mortis, et ignavum est redituree parcere vitoe. " * 

Lucan. Phars. I. 447. 

From these extracts, it will appear, that I have not erred 
against probability in making my heroine accompany her 



* Ye too, prophetic Minstrels, who consign 

To endless ages, with exalted praise, 

The souls of Heroes slain , Ye, then secure, 

Poured fourth your numerous strains, O solemn Bards! 

Ye, also, Druids, from relinquished arms 

Returning, recommenced your awful rights 

Barbaric, and solemnities uncouth. 

To you alone 'tis given to know the gods, 1 

With all the high divinities of heaven, 

Or but to }'0u 'tis given to know them not. 

Deep forests and secluded groves ye love. 

Ye teach that Ghosts frequent not the dark scats 

Of silent Erebus, nor the pale glooms 

Of Pluto's realms profound ; but that the soul 

Rules other bodies in another world. 

Death (if accepted truth directs your song) 

Is but the middle of extending life. 

How happy, in their error, those who dwell 

Beneath the arctic skies ; — the dread of death. 
That most terrific of all mortal fears, 
Torments them not; — hence, resolute of mind, 
Headlong their warriors rush on pointed spears ;— 
Their souls to death accustomed, they disdain 
To husband life, which lost, must be resumed, 



PREFACE. v 

husband to battle,, recover his body from the enemy, 
sing his praises among the Druids, and follow his spirit 
to other worlds. I am indeed sensible that, being an 
admirer of Ossian at the time when I first composed 
this poem, I have, in some instances, permitted his ideas 
of spirits to mingle with the more classical documents 
derived from the writings of the ancients. But since it 
may be supposed that the general notions of supernatural 
beings were in Britain conformable with the natural awe 
of all mankind, which is every where the same, and is 
the foundation of the imagery of Ossian; and that the 
particular opinions of transmigration, with other super- 
stitions, were only the received impressions inculcated by 
Druidical doctrines ; it will appear that both these ideas 
may exist together, and that, therefore, I may be excused 
for having united them in the following poem. 




LUMENA: 



THE ANCIENT BRITISH BATTLE. 



VTive the loud the awakening breath ! 
" Wave high the faulchion, beckoning Death ! 
" At once the thirsty fiend attends : 
" The bow creaks dreadful, which he bends, — 
f( And the standard, that he rears, 5 

" Droops heavy, wet with blood and tears ! 
" He shakes the traces of our car — 
" He urges, furious, 'mid the war. 
u Lumena, my beloved, my bride,— 
' Be thine the rapid horse to guide; 10 



2 LUMENA. 

" Content, beneath my azure shield, 

" With safety thro' the dangerous field. — 

" Ah no ! — the flame, that lights thy eyes, 

" A lover's fearful wish denies ! 

" Freedom then to Valour give ; — 15 

" Victorious, with Carwellyn live ; 

ec Or, where yon arrows thickest fly, 

" With Carwellyn, fearless, die. 

" Our fame illustrious bards shall sing : 

ce We, on the eagle's powerful wing, 20 

" Shall skim the green oak's sacred height, 

" Imbibing floods of heavenly light." 

'Twas thus, amid the Icenic bands, 
With throbbing heart and upraised hands, 
Carwellyn spake :-— his beauteous bride, 25 

Lumena, prest his ardent side. 



LUMENA. g 

Her eyes, where love and glory burn'd, 

Their brilliant fires upon him turn'd, 

And, while he spake, with heightening 1 glow. 

She pointed, eager, towards the foe. 30 

When two proud streams their course incline, 

And near a precipice conjoin, 

High svvoln their waves united roll, 

They foam, impatient of controul, 

The opposing rock in fragments tear, 3% 

And the black pines, uprooted, bear ;— 

So fierce, impetuous, on their foes, 

This double tide of valour flows. 

Lumena shook the rattling reins ; 

The ensanguined wheels foamed o'er the plains : 40 

The dead were crushed 'mid seas of gore ; 

Their rapid scythes the gasping bore : 

And, followed by vindictive ghosts, 

They hurry, where the thickening hosts, 



4 LUMENA. 

Confused, like some impervious cloud, 45 

Thundered, J mid dust and darts, aloud. 

As, when, by night, rude blasts rush forth, 

Armed with the terrors of the North, 

Unseen destruction strews the ground. 

Promiscuous ruins crash around, 50 

And mingled horrors, with dismay, 

Oppress the rising, trembling, day: — 

So raged the battle, horror veil'd ; 

Death's night, with deepening shades, prevailed ; 

Demons, enrobed in vapours, stood, 55 

Quaffing new streams of human blood : 

While Devastation's furious mien, 

Warriors, and clashing cars, between, 

Here, amid hurtling arrows rose, 

There, with the javelin, gleaming woes. 60 

Flashed quick across the groaning plain. 

Doubling, with varied deaths, the slain. 



LUMENA. 5 

Andate, * Conquest's awful form, 

Like the red lightening, 'mid the storm, 

Moves on her rapid, rustling, plumes, 65 

A meteor 'mid the battle's glooms : 

With shouts, that shake the bursting skies. 

Ten thousand Ghosts around her rise ; 

And, as her wide wings rush along, 

Behind her spreads the gleamy throng, 7Q 

Anxious, while she, with wavering wreath 

Suspended o'er the hosts beneath 

In doubtful hesitation, bends 

Now here,— now there ; — at length, descends 

Where the Iceni, dreadful, spread 75 

Their wide pursuit o'er heaps of dead ; 

Hurl deaths o'ertaking those who fly, 

Join groans with shouts of victory. 

* " The Britons had a very particular veneration for Andate, 
Goddess of Victory, to whom they sacrificed their prisoners of War. " 

Tindal's Rapin. Jntrod. 



6 LUMENA. 

Satiate with carnage, they return : 

With glorious joy their bosoms burn: 80 

The aged Druids on them gaze, 

Strike the loud harps and chaunt their praise. 

Robed in chaste white the assembly stood, 
Beneath a consecrated wood : 

And at their touch, the heavenly sound, 85 

Incense of Valour, streamed around. 

ff Enwreathe, enwreathe the sacred bough ! 
fe Crown with green oak the Warrior's brow ! 
u Is the conquering Warrior crowned ? 
" Bid the loud harp his name resound ! 90 

ec Wake to full music all the strings : — 
ec Warrior, 'tis thy Country sings ! 
fC 'Tis thy Country thanks her son, 
<c For the glory thou hast won : 



LUMENA, 7 

" For the power thy arm bestows : 95 

" For this vengeance on her foes. 

n Of thee with joy shall matrons speak ; 

ec Thee shall desiring virgins seek ; 

" The lips of age rehearse thy fame, 

<c And infants lisp thy honoured name. 100 

" The air that fans thy native vale, 

*' Shall breathe of thee in every gale : 

tc Those worlds of other life,* that shine 

f< O'er the clear night with beams divine, 

" Where thy great ancestors reside, 105 

n Shall sound of thee, their future pride : 

" The Gods themselves, with awful voice, 

" At utterance of thy name, rejoice; 

" Thee with loud shells they celebrate, 

" And weave with gold thy glorious fate. 1 10 

* See the extract from Lucan, in the preface. 
X 



"S LUMENA, 

" We, too, their hallowed Bards, who share 

cc In all their joy, — in all their care, 

" The solemn song of heaven repeat : — 

" Thee, in their dreadful names, we greet ! 

" And bid thee, oak-crown'd Warrior, prove 115 

** Heaven's plaudits, and thy country's love ! 

" What's Death? — the wings whereon we fly 
" From world to world ; — from sky to sky ;-— 
" Where Life, with hesitating stay, 
n Just pauses on its endless way. 120 

" What's Death ?— a momentary change, 
" That marks the soul's perpetual range: — 
(c A point in Life's eternal line, * 
" A link where separate beings join ! 



* I am indebted for this thought to Rowe's paraphrase of Lucan's 
Longx vitas, mors media est, which he extends to four lines, remarkable 
for their elegance. 



LUMENA. 9 

" 'Tis nought ! — shall, then, the Warrior fear, 125 

rr The rapid dart, — the pointed spear ? — 

rc Or, for his country, shall he dread 

* f To mingle with her mighty dead?-— 

" No : — as the cloud, that bears the storm, 

ff Darkening the land with threatening form, 130 

*' Full of the wrath of injur'd heaven, 

<c Performs the avenging mandate given,— 

" Then, to the eastern blast resign'd, 

• f Dispersed, floats wide upon the wind; — 

" So, when the Warrior guides, afar, 135 

" The tempest of his Country's war ; 

" Hurls her wrathful spear around ; 

" Strews with destined foes the ground ; 

" What heeds he, tho* blasts of death 

" Disperse to other worlds his breath ? 140 

" Thus Life for ever runs its endless race, 
" And like a line, Death but divides the space, 
" A stop, -which can but for a moment last, 
" A point between the Future and the Past. " 



10 LUMENA. 

" Praise with loud songs the mighty dead t 
<e Praise those who for their Country bled !. 
" The corse, that, in the battle's strife, 
<( Gave up this pleasing warmth of life ;--- 
" Gave up each hope it held on earth,— 145 

<c The embrace of love, the smile of mirfft ;-— 
" For its lov'd Country all resign'd ; 
*' With verdant oak its temples bind ! 
" Revere, revere the sacred clay :— 
" O'er each cold breast its shield display I 150 

e: Raise the Cromlech's mighty mound; — 
ff Plant, in each name, an oak around : 
ct So shall a sacred forest wave, 
" Eternal, o'er the mouldering brave ! 

" And now the sacrifice prepare:— 155 

ie Shrieks must fill the fearful air ! 



LUMENA. U 

" In their wicker tomb enclose * 

" Yon dastard host of shuddering foes, 

ff Andate, bending from the sky,, 

[f Demands them with a furious cry ! 160 

But ah ! what means yon blood-dy'd car ? 
Who whirls its rattling wheels afar ? 
Whose shouts the drooping courser urge ? 
Whose rage cracks quick the doubling scourge ? 
A corse upon the beam is laid, 165 

And o'er it stands a furious maid. 
She stamps, she shrieks, the air she rends,— 
Lumena ! from the car descends ! 
Burnt with fierce grief her tearless eye 
Flashes red rage :— how deep each sigh ! 170 



* '* Prisoners of War are to be slain upon the altars, or burnt 
" alive inclosed in wicker, in honour of the Gods. " 

Maxims of the Druids quoted by Rapix, 
See also Note on verse 63. 



V£ LUMENA. 

H ow eager on yon harp she lays 
Her crimson hands :— the Druids gaze 
With sacred awe, while, o'er the strings; 
With wild solemnity she sings, 

u Carwellyn yet remains unsung ! If 5 

" Carwellyn, beautiful and young ! 
cc Listen, ye maids, whose ardent eyes 
" Have seen him to the chase arise,— 
" With blushes waited his return, 

u With blood that throbs, with hearts that burn : 180 
" Who smile thro' dreams where he appears, 
€C Then wake, unwilling wake, to tears ;— 
cc Listen,— nor at my voice repine,-— 
ce Carwellyn is no longer mine ! 

" Go,— press his bosom,-— kiss his cheek,-— 185 

ff In softest,— fondest accents, speak ! 



LUMENA. 13 

( ' O ! if ye might recal his breath, 

" And raise him from the arms of Death, 

ee Lumen a all her right would give,— - 

" She would but ask to see him live. 19$ 

" And, listen, too, each Warrior-Friend { 
" Check not the tear, that would descend. 
" Alas, the bravest breast may feel 
se The bearded dart, the pointed steel. 
ce Why, why then is't a shame to know J 9$ 

ce The ten-fold sharper edge of woe ? 
" O, kind, soft, sympathy of grief S 
€ ' Flow kindred currents of relief ! 
" This chaplet, dew'd with honour's tears, 
" Worthy Carwellyn now appears : 20Q 

** Let it upon Carwellyn's head, 
". Imbibe the blood which honour shed ! 



U LUMENA. 

ff O, sacred Impulse, aid my tongue : 
" Carwellyn jet remains unsung ! 
ff Unsung^ his listening spirit flits, 205 

ee Ere yet the wound-rent corse it quits, 
ec Come, then, ye spirits of his slain, 
u Life of gigantic strength in vain ! 
( ' Howl the deep chorus of my song,--- 
f The dismal, fearful, notes prolong ! 210 

" As oft ye did, when 'mid the war, 
'* Living ye fled the impetuous car:--* 
<c When, as ye eyed his furious course, 
" Heard his loud shout, — his foaming horse,— - 
rf Saw him upon the creaking beam, 215 

" Wave his red faulchion's dreadful gleam,— 
" Watched his swift javelins as they flew, 
sc And stoop'd in terror from the view; 
" And stoop'd in vain ! — each javelin sped,— 
" Stooping, ye mingled with the dead. 



LUMENA. 15 

" Howl fearful as when on the ground 220 

" He leapt and flashed destruction round ! 
" In stifled heaps ye pressed the plain, 
" Struggling in fellowship of pain. 

" Spirit of War ! assist ray tongue ! 225 

" Carwellyn yet remains unsung ! 
w Thunder, as when before thy wheels 
" The guilty victim vainly kneels : 
f( Fierce Are thy dreadful nostrils breathe, 
" And the crushed carcase groans beneath ;-*- 230 

ce So, prostrate on the reeking sand, 
" Waving his supplicating hand, 
" The Trinobantian prince besought 
f His life ; — Carwellyn's weapon caught :— 
" Turned, with pale fear, its point aside :-— 235 

r( Grovelled :— with hopeless tremor cried, 
t 



16 LUMENA. 

" Unmoved, the illustrious hero stood, 

" Reproached the tyrant's thirst of blood : — 

" Reproached him all his country's wrong ;— 

" Then, urged the thundering wheels along : 240 

" The rough wheels rose with ponderous bound, 

'J The crushed flesh pants upon the ground, 

" Ah me ! what horrors now arise ! 
Ci Remembrance dims my aching eyes ! 
t( The flying enemy I view : — 245 

." Carwellyn shouts aloud c Pursue' ! 
iC And all the deafening din of flight,— 
" The rage of fierce pursuing fight, 
" Renewed, full swelling, burst my ear ! 
e< Ah yet is my Carwellyn near ? 250 

" Again dies Mordvah ? — ah, again 
C( Lifts Lewno from the crowd of slain 



LUMENA, 17 

fr His giant bulk ?— Modredin bleeds ! 

" His groaning corse the wheel impedes ! * 

" Ah, my Carwellyn lives !— - 255 

cc Whither, O, whither am I borne ? 

" I saw the glowing victor torn 

te From me, — from conquest !-— saw the dart 

' c Move in his slow subsiding heart : — 



* The dreadful confusion produced by chariots armed with scythes 
in the flight of a defeated army is finely described by Valerius Flaccus 
in the sixth book of the Argonautica ; where we find Ariasmenus the 
Scythian bringing such chariots to the assistance of Perses against 
JEetes. Flaccus probably borrowed the description from accounts of 
the then recent battles of the Romans under Vespasian or Agricola 
with the Britons. 

Qualiter, exosus Pyrrhae genus, asquora rursus 
Juppiter atque onines fluvium si fundat habenas, 
Ardua Parnasi lateant juga, cesserit Othrys 
Piniger, et mersis decrescant rupibus Alpes ; 
Deluvio tali, paribusque Ariasmenus urguet 
Excidiis nullo rapiens discrimine currus. 
iEgida turn &c 

trahiturque trahitque 

Currus ca?de madens : atroque in pulvere regum 
Viscera nunc aliis, aliis nunc curribus hcerent. 

Argon . Lib. VI. 390. fyc. 



18 XUMENA. 

" Saw on the earth his warm life flow ! — £60 

e< Around him rush the rallying foe ! — „ 

<e I saw them, proud with vengeance, tear 

" His mangled limbs, his streaming hair :— ■ 

Ci Heard all his dying, — threatening, groans ; 

" My own name mingling with his moans. £65 

ff Spirit of Courage aid my tongue ! 

ie Thy — my — Carwellyn yet unsung ! 

" But who shall celebrate his name ? 

" O ! leave it to the gods of fame ! 

" Yon eagle, that with steadfast wing, 270 

" Stoops hovering o'er me as I sing— - 

<c Yon eagle bears Carwellyn's shade: — 

u Hark — his deep shrieks my stay upbraid ! 

" Courage inspire, as when I tore 

" This corse beloved, besmeared with gore 275 



LUMENA. 19, 

" From impious bands,— from ravenous spears,— 
" While Vengeance dropping scalding tears, 

V Nerved 'gainst the astcuisVd foe my might, 

V And taught me thus and thus to smite !'.? 

She said— and smote her throbbing breast :-— £80 
Swift to her aid the concourse prest: — 
In vain !— before her country's eyes. 
She smiles, — she faints— she groans— and dies* 

Where sacred oaks, with awful shade. 
Bow their broad foliage down the glade, 285 

There, raised by more than mortal hands. 

The Cromlech's mighty fabric stands : 

In rude, stupendous, grandeur spread. 

The solemn mansion of the dead. 

In vain the Spirits of the storm 1H9Q 

Attempt to rock its fearful form ,* 



20 LUMENA. 

Sweep thro' the boughs with hollow tone^ 

And strike the deep resounding stone ! 

Dreadful voices, from the ground, 

Reverberate the echoing sound : 295 

Loud shouts, and shrieks, and dismal cries, 

At broken intervals arise ;-— 

And, shaken from ten thousand strings, 

Tumultuous music wildly rings ; — 

Rolls on the blast, with magic strain, 300 

Or, dying, sobs along the plain, 

There, shadowy forms, a sacred band, 

In solemn order silent stand : 

Or, on the whirlwind's troubled breath, 

Pour the deep minstrelsy of Death, 305 

Ten thousand harps, aerial, round, 

Clash their chords, with mighty sound ; 

And the great dead, with voice sublime, 

Chaunt the recording hymns of time< 



LUMENA. 21 

There^ oft, Lumena's shade is seen,, 310 

Upon Carwellyn's breast to lean ; 

And as his glorious praise she sings. 

Her swift hand sweeps the shadowy strings j 

Loud swells her hallowed voice, that seems 

A rustling breeze o'er reedy streams ; — 315 

While the dread Chorus join around, 

In a tempestuous blast of sound ;— 

Wild, as the wirlwind's troubled breath ;— 

The dreadful minstrelsy of Death ! 




MISCELLANEOUS PIECES. 



THE 



DECEMBER-DAY. 



Adversity's long day appears 
" Engloom'd by tearful grief; 
" No cheering sound of joy it hears; 
" 'Tis senseless to relief. 

" Adversity's long year is roll'd, 
" With one dark season, round ; 

" Recovered bloom no Springs unfold, 
" No Autumn fruits are found. 

" Adversity's sad tedious life, 

" Sighs long with sorrow's breath, 

" Present is woe's tempestuous strife, 
" Distant the beams of death." 



26 THE DECEMBER DAY. 

Thus sang a youth to griefs long known, 
( December closed the year ) 

When lo, the sudden sunbeams shone, 
With mild effulgence clear. 

The streams, incurved with wintry breeze, 
In sportive brightness played, 

And all the snow-envellop'd trees, 
Glistened, with gems arrayed. 

The clouds, with silvery radiance bright, 

Sail'd thro' the lucid sky, 
Ten thousand tints of joyful light, 

Struck the astonished eye. 

And from her cell fair Nature rose, 
Mantled with drifted snow, 

Ice-drops upon her crown were froze, 
A pearl-resembling row. 



THE DECEMBER DAY. 37 

A Lyre within her hand she held, 

Of soul-subduing sound i 
She sang :— all being was compelled 

To mute attention round, 

But ah, the numbers of her verse 

To other bards belong, 
My simple lines would but rehearse 

The tenor of her song. 

iC Mortals " she cried " the life I give 

'* Why thus with grief annoy ? 
f There is no day thro' wjiich you live, 

"• But hath its hour of joy. 

" Even Winter hath its chearful glow, 

" Its noon with blissful smiles ; 
(t Even this dark season of my woe, 

*' With short delight beguiles. 



28 



THE DECEMBER DAY. 



Engloom not life with mournful tears, 
" But watch for pleasure's ray : 

Seize the bright moment which it chears, 
" And hold it while you may/' 




MUSE'S CONSOLATION 

July 23, 1804. 



Xlow full of restless sorrow is his lot, 
Whom Science hath seduced from sordid gains : 
Oft sunk in want, — e'en by the good forgot,-- - 
Or tortured by some wretch his soul disdains. 

Despised,— forsaken,— his expanding mind 
Sickens, — and e'en its own exertion fears :— 
Tho' knowledge melt the icy* chains that bind 
His active soul ; — it melts them into tears. 



* Lo, Poverty to fill the band, 
That numbs the soul with icy hand. 

Gray. 



m THE MUSES 

Oh, why, Ye Muses, thus increase desire, 
Where torpid Want forbids our thoughts to move ? 
Our taste improve, while we may nought admire ? 
Refine our passions, while 'tis grief to love ? 

See, on the slaves of venal trade we wait : 
Beg bread of senseless Wealth, and get disgrace : 
Become the guides of war, — the tools of state, — 
And with (c forbidden knowledge " curse our race, 

Thus I repined, desponding, sick with thought : 
When she, who bade my infant soul awake, 
The Muse the balm of consolation brought, 
And thus in Pity*s tender accents spake : 

cc Let me, to whom Peace listens, soothe thy grief ;- 
" Me, to whom silent Anguish, trembling, turns, — 
<c Me, from whom abject Slavery finds relief, 
" And Want, e'en while the sting of Insult burns, 



CONSOLATION, 31 

" Ah, hast thou Sorrows ? — on these breathing strings, 
(C In tender sounds, shall Sorrow die away. 
(e Would'st thou have Hope ?— Hope ever with me sings,, 
1C And moves in lighter measures to my lay." 

" Then hear the Muse, and these sad murmurs cease ! 
fe Each Muse her charge, the human soul, attends ; 
" To calm its sufferings, and its powers increase, 
" Oft to the earth Urania descends. 

e( On earth, in human form, she now is seen : 

" In form expressive of her race above : 

cc All Science knows her, and reveres its queen, 

" Learns Nature's laws, and how the planets move. 

cc This * she selects her seat in Britain's isle : 

cc Here on the softer sex bestows her care. 

" Hence Science shall be armed with Beauty's smile, 

" And Love shall all his spoils with Knowledge share. 

2 A * Blackheath 



32 THE MUSE'S &c. 

ec Repine not :— mourn not : — her protection claim 

" ***** ' s her appellation here below : 

u Malice shall curse the sanction of that name, 

e i And Science^ shielded, cease the plaint of woe. " 




JTMR&ES 

On one of the names of the Muse of Astronomy being 
supplied by Asterisks in the preceding lines. 



IN IMITATION OF COWLEY, 



L resumptuous Pen, that durst essay to write 
The name of her, who rules the orbs of Light ! 
Dost thou not see thy feeble letters fade. 
Awed by the word their blending forms had made : 
Sinking, all conscious of deserved disgrace. 
While a bright constellation takes their place ? 
In Stars she deigns to date the rolling year, 
With Stars she writes the volume of the sphere 
By which the Sun preserves his endless way, 
Leads the bright seasons and directs the day. 
Cease then, thou foolish Pen, thy fruitless aim : 
Stars are the rightful symbols of her name. 



GRACIA. 1805 



Oj cease, my Gracia, — cease thy fears 
Tho' want and care and anxious tears, 
Still round us roll their deadening' gloom, 
And all our best of days consume ; 
Tho' here no friends our converse share, 
But all a sombre coldness wear, 
Forbidding confidence to rest 
One hope upon another's breast * 
Tho' sickness taint our mean abode, 
( Sickness to poisonous folly owed ) 
And pent by Want in reach of Death, 
We still inhale the foetid breath ; 
Tho' mean Extortion's treacherous power 
The very dregs of Life devour, 



TOGRACIA. 35 

Drops from our slender gains distil. 
And keep us Misery's prisoners still ;— 
Yet cease, my Gracia, — fondly cease, 
Those fears that but our woes increase | 
Still in my slow- rewarded toils, 
In Industry's slow-gathered spoils, 
O still with gentle hope confide ! 
Thy hope is strength to me and pride ! 
To make thee hope, my faultering smile 
Would oft anxiety beguile ; 
And oft I flatter my sad heart 
With pleasure, that its better part, 
It's better part, possess'd by thee. 
May know the less of misery.—? 



TRANSLATION 



THE THIRTY-FIRST ODE, FIRST BOOK 



HOJRACE* 



TO APOLLO. 



W„ AT a t Apo^o-s consecrated fane 

Is now the poet's prayer ? — what wish shall move 

His votive lips, while from the cup 
He pours the vineyard's earliest juice ? 
Not rich Sardinia's high-piled sheaves he asks, 
Not herds so grateful to the summer-plains 

Of wide Calabria :— not bright gold 
Or India's polished ivory:— 
Not meads, that lingering Liris, silently, 
With his slow stream on either bank corrodes.— 
They to whom Fortune gives the grape 
Lopped with Calenian sickle, they 



TO APOLLO. 37 

May press the liquid treasure : — He may quaff. 
From burnish chalices, the racy stream., 

Purchased with Syrian merchandize. 

Who by the very Gods beloved. 
Is suffered safely to re-visit oft 
The many dangers of the Atlantic deep : — 

Olives and endive may suffice 

With mallows tender leaves my wants. 
Give., O Latoe, give me health : — all else 
Is then enjoyment : Vigour of mind I ask, — 

Not age, protracted with disgrace, 

Feeble or heedless of the Lyre. 



TRANSLATION 

OF 

Ci)e &lcatc #De 

WRITTEN 

BY GRAY, 

IX THE 

ALBUM OF THE CARTHUSIAN FATHERS. 



vJ Thou impressive Sanctity, who here 

Art felt pervasive o'er thj realm severe, 

Teach me the Name most grateful to thy ear ! 
For the deep voices of thy floods. 
And ancient honours of thy woods, 

Speak thy divinity, and bid our souls revere ! 

The impendent precipice,— the uncultured plains- 
Mountains whose pathless heights no feet attain, — 
And rending rocks, a long rebounding train, 

Dashed in the murmuring streams below, 
Where the wood-nymphs no morning know 
Proclaim a present God^ with awe inspiring strain ! 



GRAY'S ALCAIC. 39 

The present Gop is seen, is heard, is known, 
More plain than, seated on an amber throne, 
In high wrought gold, the work of Phidias' shone ! 
Hear, mighty Power, a wearied youth, 
Whose lips, imprest with awful truth, 
Implore short placid rest from Life with sorrow strewn. 

Yet what, tho' fate impel my lingering feet 

To quit the paths of Quiet's envied seat, 

And stay my tongue desirous to repeat 

That sacred oath, which Silence binds 
Upon her peaceful, heaven-fraught minds, 

And bear me yet again where waves conflicting meet ;— - 

At length, Eternal Sire, thou may'st bestow 
In some obscure, some tranquil spot, to know 
The hours of age, with free, unruffled flow ; — 

Yes, — thou may'st snatch me from all strife, 
May'st place some residue of Life, 
Safe from all vulgar care, — nay, safe from human woe. 
2B 



IN PIAM MEMORIAM 
CASTM ET AMJBILIS PUELLJE 

HAUD ITA PRIDEM DEFUNCT^. 

(MISS MILDRED HANWAY.) 



Oiste gradum, terramque levi pede tange, Viator; 

Namque meam haec condit cespite terra rosam ; 
Qua? quondam hortorum et ridentis gloria prati, 

Ornatis nituit conspicienda comis. 

Spargite humura foliis, tumuloque imponite flores,. 

Spargite purpureis lilia mista rosis : 
Nam viget haec nullo, neque vere Puella vigebit 

Nee sinet hanc teneram Parca redire rosam. 

E scriptis Johannis Hanway pr<efecti. 



TRANSLATION. 

To the pious Memory of a virtuous and lovely maiden 
lately deceased. 

(MISS MILDRED HAN WAY.) 



£)tay, stay,— -O touch this mould with lightest tread. 
My rose, my lovely rose., these hillocks hide : 

Lately, with opening bloom resplendent spread, 
Pride of my grove, my smiling garden's pride. 

Strew, strew the ground with leaves,— with flowers the 
tomb; — 

Strew roses mix'd with lilies on the urn ! 
She blooms not with this spring, nor will re-bloom ! 

Strew^ strew Spring's roses— mme may ne'er return,, 



Attempted from the latin of Major John Hanway r 
uncle to (he philanthropic Jonas Hqnway* 



THE FEN'* 

% poeni. 

Inscribed to Mrs. Horst, of Blackheath 



JL o give a vital form to fading thought,, 
To guard what Science won, or Wisdom taught ; 
To save Remembrance from the grasp of Time; 
To waft Report thro' every various clime ; 
Bear the fond Parents cares o'er parting seas • 
Bid distant Friendship breathe on every breeze ; 
To breasts^ remote from all they love, impart 
The glow of hope., and tumult of the hearty 
The sympathies of tenderness or fear, 
Joy's social smile, and misery's secret tear j 



THE PEN. 43 

JFor this the Pen its powerful aid bestowed,, 
For this its stream of symbol'd accents flowed. 

Say, to what favoured hand the gift consigned 
First, thro' the sight, informed the attentive mind : 
Who first bade visual sounds in ranks arise, 
And silent language steal upon the eyes ; 
In mingling signs all breathing utterance caught* 
And fixed the fleeting imagery of thought. 
Whether from heaven the power; immediate, came, 
A separate organ granted to our frame ; 
Or> in some rich, inventive mind arose, 
And dared the intellectual realm disclose : 
W r here Science, towards the awful source of things, 
Darts her undazzled sight and spreads her wings ; 
Where Contemplation walks the etherial round, 
By Wisdom guided and by Virtue crowned ,* 



44 THE PEN. 

Whate'er its origin, the Pen may claim 

The highest favour of recording Fame. 

E'en Fame herself, without the Pen, would die, 

And the dark past in deep oblivion lie ; 

Wisdom's blest precepts on her lips expire, 

Fade into air the numbers of the lyre, 

Mute or unheard the voice of Truth decay, 

Instruction cease to beam forth mental day, 

But her foul night would sullen Ignorance spread, 

Mingling the unconscious living with the dead. 

To you, O ! Horst, whose cares, to taste allied, 
The infant hand, with pleasing patience, guide ; 
Beneath whose eye the artless fingers move. 
Vie for your praise, ambitious of your love. 
That best affection, exquisitely kind, 
Parent of, more than life, the cultured mind ! 



THE PEN. 45 

To you, what tribute from the pen is due ! 
What lovely votaries owes it not to you ! 
As on the expanding flowret's velvet tints 
Flora's fond hand her fairy-words imprints, 
On their soft leaves light characters designs, 
And marks each blossom with meandering lines ; 
So, thro' your care, shall skilful Beauty trace 
Each letter's gentle form and tender grace, 
Waft with light touch the breathing Pen along, 
While, softly fine or delicately strong, 
In easy slope the symbol'd utterance flows, 
With taste delights or with affection glows : 
Preserves whate'er thy lips, preceptive, taught, 
And lives the transcript of thy anxious thought. 

Oft shall its grateful art, to thee addrest, 
Paint the clear soul by thy instructions blest : 



46 THE PEN. 

Shew how thy cares have form'd each blissful life, 

The daughter, mother, sister, friend, and wife : 

Fond duties still with elegance combined, 

Engaging manners and reflective mind. 

And, as some streamlet thro' enamelled meads, 

Far from its source, eternally proceeds, 

Fosters the blooming plants, and year by year 

Sees infant seedlings o'er its waves appear ; 

Sustains with humid power the aspiring root, 

Swells each green stem and freshens every shoot ; 

So, by the Pen preserved, your cares shall flow, 

And future daughters your instructions know ; 

Mind after mind your pleasing precepts trace, 

Imbibe each strengthening thought, each blooming grace, 

Breathe Virtue's fragrance from the expanding heart, 

And each fond bliss to social life impart. 



LINES TO SOME PENS 



MADE FOR 



MRS. HANWAY. 

VJo, wing'd interpreters of thought, 

Go, serve fair Hanway's head and heart, 

With sense, and genuine feeling, fraught, 
Her dictates to the world impart. 

Cling to her hand with eager zeal, 

Win every impulse from her breast, 

Let her no rich idea conceal ; — 
So shall ye be by Fame carest 

When cold this hand which gives you shape, 

When cold that hand which sense shall give, 

While Genius may from Time escape, 

The praise of Hanway's pen shall live. 

2C 



SONNET 

(Composed for the Romance of Zelomir.); ' 

With Misery's slow-returning feet to tread 
Paths long deserted ; and where Joy was known, 
To swell his shrill reed with the rapturous tone 
Of Happiness ;-— alas, e'en there to shed 
The tear of wretched Age,— e'en there to moan, 
Where Memory sees ten thousand Pleasures spread 
Their spectre forms,— sees Friendship, long since dead> 
A pale mute ghost, retire ; and feels herself alone ;-- 

O there to want and weep is dreadful !— Hast thou power, 
Celestial Hope, to soothe such anguished pain ? 
Can balms, that breathe around thy vernal bower 
Heal wounds like these ? — Or, in the fainting hour, 
When dumb Despair frowns on thee with disdain, 
Dares thy soft voice speak peace, and bid us life sutsain ? 



LINES 



COMPOSED ON 



The Bench at Dartmouth Point, 
BLACKHEATH, 

1807. 



W hat ! thro' my wandering song wert thou not named, 
Delightful Seat ? — Thou, where the etherial Muse, 
Soft blushing with the light of kindling day, 
Wafted on wings of Zephyrs, (while the bloom, 
Whose silver leaflets dropt with pendant dew, 5 

Wreathed her fair tresses, and the feathered choir, 
In salutations round her beamy form, 
Poured their loud music, ) rushed upon my soul, 
And won my bosom from its tyrant-woes ! 
Pelightful Seat ! — what time the eastern ray, 10 



50 DARTMOUTH POINT. 

Glanced thro' the twilight, and announced the sun* 

On thee reclining, I have watched the mist 

Melt in light vapours o'er yon western hills, 

And roll in curling clouds, adown their sides, 

Till the whole prospect, in suffusive beams, 111 

Shone forth expansive, and the brightening scene 

Summoned each impulse of my ardent mind 

To revel in the luxury of sight ! 

All hail thou wondrous sense ! pervasive Touch J 
Sight ! who within thy tender organs placed, 2Q 

Seizest the swift reverberated beams, 
That, rapid, rushing from the solar orb, 
Rebound from every object !*■-- 'tis to thee 
That all the eager energies of soul, 
Obedient, throng, and at thy splendid shrines, gH 

Feel Nature fill them with creative power, 



DARTMOUTH POINT, 51 

To imitate the wonders of her works ! 

Hence mantling verdure on the canvas swells; — ■ 

Protrudes its heavy, shadowy, boughs, and spreads 

Its pendant foliage in a calm of light ! 30 

From thee, ethereal sense !— -and thee, soft Morn ! 

Claude's tender pencil caught its bright repose., 

And poured the wide illumined stillness round. 

How undisturbed the dewy lustre sleeps 

Upon the bosom of some azure rock., 35 

Where clustered ruins o'er the forest heave 

Their antique forms !— the chastened shade below 

Streams faintly o'er the glade, and dies away. 

Lost in the silvery silence of the waves ! 

An universal brightness fills the heavens, 40 

And on the horizon, where in kindling light 

The misty azure of the waters breaks, 

The stedfast eye awaits the orb of day ! 



52 DARTMOUTH POINT. 

Nor less from thee, thou awful visual power ! 

Heaves the rich canvas of the bold Poussin 43 

With shadowy mountains; where the rapid flood 

Rolls o'er the craggy steeps its sparkling foam ! 

How broad the dazzling splendour of that light; 

Which flows unsettled o'er the distant rocks, 

And, on the ruffled billows flashing, pours 50 

Its gleamy fulgence thro' the forest gloom ! 

Wide spreads the broken shadows deep and vast ! 

The precipice, pine-crowned, protrudes its bulk 

Heavy with darkness : on its hollow side 

A solitary castle rears its brow 55 

Wrapt in thick woods, and on the torrent frowns, 

Which chafes its base in fearful turbulence ! 

O'er all a massive grandeur, restless, rolls, 

Oaring, tumultuous, mingling light with shade ! 



DARTMOUTH POINT. 53 

To thee, diffusive sense ! wide-darting Sight ! 60 
What lucid tints the enraptured poet owes ! 
What lovely forms — what rich magnificence ! 
Behold., replete with thee, fond Memory yields 
Thy blending scenes to Fancy, who combines, 
Selects and interchanges, 'till beneath 65 

Her eager hands a new creation spreads, 
Where all that Nature boasts sublime or fair, 
Together group 'd, delight or fill the soul ! 
Yet not from thee alone, entrancing Sight, 
Derives the Muse her wealth : — to her approach 70 

Sweet Odour, — dulcet Sound,™ ecstatic Touch, 
With breathing flowrets :— richest melodies; 
And the soft warmth, that thro' the throbbing veins, 
Flows into life : — nor that delightful sense, 
WTio in the ambrosial j uices of the peach 7$ 

Imbues her watry lip, will ought deny 



54 DARTMOUTH POINT, 

Of her delicious treasures to the Muse. 

Nor yet the Senses, only, aid her powers : 

Behold the Passions, a tumultuous throng ! 

Love in its myriad forms, pale Hatred, Grief, 80 

Rage, and destructive Anger, Malice, Pride, 

Vindictive Madness, Fear and wan Despair, — 

Hope on bright pinions, and irradiate Joy ! 

And lo ! with these exalted Reason comes : 

Beside him Science and Philosophy : — ■ 85 

Before him Truth, crowned with a wreath of flame, 

And clothed with light more pure than what the Morn 

Pours o'er the silent ocean, when the sky 

Expands, unclouded, its cerulian calm, 

Ah, wherefore then, like one whose fearful feet 90 
Wander, bewildered, 'mid the impervious woods, 
Where pours the Amazon his ocean stream. 



DARTMOUTH POINT, 55 

Doth my soul tremble 'mid the Muse's walks ? 
He,, wandering, doth inhale the fragrant breath 
Of spicy herbs, and sweetly-scented gums, 95 

That drop like amber dew from every bough : 
The lofty platan with its width of shade 
Waves o'er his path : — thro' beamy verdure bursts 
The melting fruit :-■— on wings of downy gold. 
O'er which soft purple, fluctuating, plays, 100 

The whirring tenants of the branching gloom 
Glance by, refulgent, thro' the torrid beams. 
Beneath his feet the awful flood extends— 
Pellucid—vast — a sea of liquid light : 
Magnificent around, in fearful forms, 105 

Stupendous mountains heave : the azure heaven, 
In all its tropic-brilliancy, enrobes 
Their swelling summits ; and the vapoury clouds, 
2D 



56 DARTMOUTH POINT. 

At various heights, involving their dark sides, 

Float like loose vesture round a giant's limbs. 110 

Thus, whatsoever beautiful or great 

Creative Nature wildly hath conceived 

Call forth his admiration ;--yet, he roams, 

With speechless horror, trembling and confused : 

In the soft, sobbings of the panting leaves 115 

He seems to hear the thirsty soake uncoil 

Her rattling spires : — he starts — he shudders — faints— 

And Nature withers in his sickening sight ! 

Ah ! thus faint I amid the Muse's scenes :■ — 

Thus spread perpetual terrors round my mind : — 120 

Thus hear I clamorous Want, and pale Contempt, — 

The howl of Avarice, and the hiss of Pride, 

Rising in every thought ! — shuddering, I shrink 

From Contemplation, and contract my soul : 

And Fancy's wide creation dies away. 125 



DARTMOUTH POINT. 57 

O that I might — (before the busy world 
llise from its restless couch ; what time the east 
Gleams faintly, and returning day illumes 
The wide horizon's mist with streaky beams,)™ 
Devote to thee, Delightful Seat, those hours, 130 
Which neither want, nor toil, nor woe can claim ! 
Here would I welcome the sweet power of song — 
Call these soft hours, my day, — this bliss, my life ; — 
And throw the rest to Care without a sigh ! 




DARTMOUTH-POINT, LIWISHAM-H1LL. 



FIRST BOOK 



AUGONAUTICA 



C. VALERIUS ELACCUS 

SETINUS £ ALB US, 



Fragmentum quod vile putas et inutile lignum 3 
Haec fuit ignoti prima carina maris. 

Quam nee Cyanese quondam potuere ruinse 
Frangere, nee Scythici tristior ira freti, 

Secula vicerunt ; sed quamvis cesserit annis, 
Sanctior est salva parva tabella rate. 



Martialis de Frag. Argus. 



PREFACE. 

JL he Argonautic Expedition is the first event, which 
emerging from the darkness of the Mythological eras,, 
appear, partially, and faintly, illuminated, with the 
beams of approaching truth. The features of a great 
naval enterprize remain perceptible upon all its mu- 
tilated fragments :— fragments, overgrown, indeed, with 
the excrescences of superstition; delapidated in the 
destruction of time; and misunited by the hands of 
ignorance ; yet, still displaying that rude and awful figure 
which they once composed. The mighty image appears, 
to the sight of studious investigation, in all its grandeur. 
It seems to step with daring trepidation from the rocks 
of Thessaly, and to threaten the indignant waves with 
subjugation : It holds the treasures of Commerce, in its 
right hand, under the symbol of the Golden Fleece; 
and, pointing, with its left, to those constellations, with 
which it appears to have studded the heavens, it calls 
on Navigation to pursue its path. 

When among the Greeks, History began to record 
the transactions of human society, events were rather ce- 
lebrated then described. Poetry, not the calm and dispas-* 



ii PREFACE. 

sionate poetry of modern times, but a splendid enthusiasm 
of language, turbulent with enormous imagery, and 
bursting forth into such coruscations of brilliant fiction 
as astonished and delighted its hearers, elevated the hero 
and magnified his actions. Nature was replete with 
invisible beings : nay, the bounds of Nature were too 
circumscribed for the energy of imagination ; new 
worlds were called into existence : gods, monsters, and 
demons became the guardians, the enemies, or the 
antagonists of every warrior. It is not surprising, there- 
fore> that the first nautical expedition of importance 
should be envelloped in the intricacies of fable ; it is 
rather, on the contrary, to be wondered that so much 
probability should still adhere to the narration. 

Among the earliest Ages of Greece, three great events 
are prominently conspicuous. They present themselves 
to the eye of the historian, who surveys with horror the 
wide and deep destruction of primeval time, like the 
summits of mountains elevated above the overwhelming 
waves of a deluge. These events are the ArgonaUtic 
Expedition, the Siege of Thebes, and the Trojan War. 
From these three great occurences arose subjects of 
Poetry, which have filled the universe with admiration : 
their very obscurity shed a deep and awful interest around 
them, and afforded that gloom, which renders the flame 
of imagination so beautifully conspicuous. The poetry 
of the modern states of Europe cannot possess such 



PREFACE. iii 

sources of inspiration. None of them have grown gra- 
dually from that rude state of uncivilized nature, which 
is replete with heroic achievements. They have all 
been conquered countries. The arm of tyrannical luxury., 
and the sword of destructive barbarism, have frequently 
extirpated the motives of national pride, and planted 
people on their soils, whose objects of enthusiasm lay 
in remote regions. The vanquished have no attraction 
for the Muses. The Roman eagle, indeed, carried the 
arts on its wings : it was the thunder-bearer of an empire, 
as magnanimous as universal ; from the head of which, 
as from the forehead of Jupiter, sprang forth Wisdom. 
Yet in the subjugated nations every national topic of 
poetry became, immediately, extinct; and in learning 
the language of their conquerors, they made it animate 
the abject theme of servile adulation. The northern 
hordes, with more destructive sweep, mowed down whole 
nations, and trod the perishing arts beneath their feet : 
the deep and pervasive night of ignorance rushed swift 
behind them : a fearful chasm absorbed a series of ages ; 
and the historian, who ventures to contemplate it, seeks in 
vain for those prominent objects, by which he may sur- 
mise the nature of its chaotic depth. There no surviving 
incidents shed their interesting gleam : nothing awakens 
the metaphoric voice of enthusiasm : not even fable finds 
a circumstance to which it may attach its miracles : 
2E 



iv PREFACE. 

Truth, disordered and oppressed, cannot arise through 
the impenetrable clouds that environ her: Imagination 
disdains the cold and lifeless gloom, in which her most 
attractive fictions, disregarded, would expire. 

How different were the first ages of Greece ! Truth, 
partially concealed by the beautiful allegories of poetry, 
frequently discovers her form, and directs the surmises 
of History. We almost behold the first colonization of 
the Grecian coasts ; we catch a glance at the inhabitants 
of the interior parts, living by hunting, and almost 
perpetually on horseback ; we observe the building of 
the principal cities, and the submission of the people to 
laws and social order ; we see the arts gradually arise, 
and their inventors deified ; we watch the power of 
superstition, absorbing the natural piety of the mind, and 
peopling heaven with objects of terror and veneration : 
we pursue a train of events, disguised indeed by imagin- 
ation, but in which truth, by being clothed with aston- 
ishment, more easily engages the attention, and is thereby 
preserved where she would, otherwise, be forgotten. 

In this manner should those three events, which I 
have before mentioned, be investigated. The miraculous 
parts, which first arrested the attention, and surprised us 
through the interference of the imagination, would then 
dissolve into allegories : Like a dream which vanishes in 



preface. v 

the morning., when we discover that the fluctuating 
remembrance of real incidents, which agitated the 
preceding day, (distorted, while reason slumbered ) com- 
posed the whole visionary fabric. It is not my purpose 
to pursue such an investigation in this place : it would 
lead me into many intricate discussions ; and, although 
I am convinced that such an examination would be both 
interesting and instructive, yet it would, certainly, be 
misplaced before the translation of only one book of a 
very mutilated poem. But since the wars of Thebes, 
and Troy have had their poets; since the latter, in parti- 
cular, has furnished matter for the greatest composi- 
tions of the human intellect, it may be demanded, what 
claim does the Argonautic Expedition possess, and 
why have not the authors, who have made it their theme, 
risen to equal celebrity ? To meet these questions fairly, 
it must be acknowledged that the accounts of this event 
are more involved in fable ; more entangled with extran- 
eous circumstances ; and less capable of regular con- 
strucion, than those parts of the Siege of Troy, and its 
consequences, which have become so famous by the poems 
of Homer and Virgih Yet the certainty of the event 
itself is not thereby impaired. It exhibits a sufficient 
portion of that probability, which renders many of the 
more extravagant fables of antiquity worthy the research 
of the historian and chronologer. Sir Isaac Newton 
lias ventured to fix its epocha, and he considers that 



vi PREFACE. 

those traces of its principal incidents, which are found 
amid the figures of the celestial constellations, are eviden- 
ces of the importance which was attached to it The 
very nature of an extensive voyage, in such a remote 
period, on whatever account it might have been under- 
taken, opens a wide field for the wonderful : every 
unknown shore; every new discovered people; every oc- 
currence on an element, to which the voyagers were en- 
tirely strangers, becomes a source ©f metaphoric descrip- 
tion, or of fabulous embellishment. The tales of modern 
navigation might furnish incidents not less preternatural 
than some of those in the voyage to Colchos ; and per- 
haps still more contrary to truth than the moving 
Cyanean rocks, or the Harpies who carry away the food 
of Phineus. That part of the narrative, which relates 
to the fleece, is supposed by some authors to be capable 
of the most literal interpretation.* It is still customary 
in many parts of Asia to collect the gold-dust, which is 
carried along by the current of certain rivers, by 
suspending fleeces across the stream, in rows beneath 
each other, so that the water, in passing through them, 
may leave the particles of gold contained in it, among 
the wool. The fleeces, being taken out of the river, are 
hung upon the branches of trees, and guarded with care 

* Vide Strabo, Arrian, &c. also Dr, Rutherford's view of An-? 
cient History. 



PREFACE. vii 

until they are dry, when the ore-dust,, which they may 
have imbibed, is combed out of them.* The application 
of this fact to the object of the Colchian Expedition is 
both natural and easy: the motive of the voyage becomes 

* The explication which Pala?phatus gives to the story of 
Phrixus and Helle is curious and deserves to be mentioned here on 
account of the estimation in which that author was held by the 
ancients: a verse attributed to Virgil by Probus, in his commentary 
on a passage in the Georgics, thus mentions him, 

Docta Palsepliatia testatus voce papyrus. 

and Servius, the commentator, approves of his explanation of the 
fable of the Centaurs, in his notes on the same passage. Palsephatus 
says, in a sort of preface attached to his work, that he went in search 
of the foundations of the incredible histories to the very places where 
they are related to have happened. And concerning the Golden 
Fleece he found the truth to be as follows. Athamas commanded 
an army of Greeks in Phrygia. His steward or treasurer was named 
Crion (i. e. the Ram) and he placed more confidence in the fidelity 
of this man than in any other of his subjects. Crion however betrayed 
to Phrixus the design of Athamas to put him to death, and Phrixus 
immediately prepared a vessel. Crion conveyed much wealth into 
this vessel, but Helle the sister of Phrixus, through weakness and 
fatigue, expired during the voyage, and left her name to that sea, 
which is now called the Hellespont. Phrixus arrived at the Phasis, 
and having established himself there, espoused the daughter of 
iEetes, king of Colchos, whose dowry vvas a golden image of Eos 
or Aurora. (In this account there appear to be many equivoques 
in different Greek words of similar sounds but different meanings, 
which would lead only to vague and uncertain conclusions.) 



viii PREFACE, 

manifest : and whether those fleeces of gold were to be 
obtained by commercial negotiations or by rapine, it is 
not necessary to enquire. Plunder was indeed the chief 
instigation of the enterprizes of those times ; and to 
carry off women and treasure from the neighbouring 
states appears to have been frequently considered as an 
heroic exploit. From Herodotus we learn that the 
causes of all the wars, which distracted Greece and the 
western parts of Asia, arose out of the predatory expe- 
ditions which were encouraged on both sides, and ce- 
lebrated with the highest enthusiasm. In this manner, 
he says, was lo carried away by the Syrians and Europa 
by the Greeks ; and that other heroes of the latter nation, 
induced by the fame of such exploits^ and by the riches 
of Colchos, constructed a larger vessel than had before 
been known, and plundered the Colchians of a consi- 
derable booty, which the poets have denominated the 
Golden Fleece, together wish Medea, the daughter of 
the King. He continues to relate, that ambassadors were 
sent by the Colchians to reclaim the princess, but the 
Greeks replied that they considered this deed as a just 
retaliation for the rape of lo, the daughter of Inachus. 
To this succeeded the seduction of Helen, and the Trojan 
War ; whence that perpetual enmity which subsisted 
between the Grecians and the Asiatics. 

It is not improbable that the supposition of 
Burman, Kirchmajor, and others, may be correct. They 



PREFACE. ix 

think that the Argonaltic Expedition consisted of 
more than one vessel., and that the fleet being dispersed 
by a storm, we have the accounts of various voyages in 
one relation.* Hence, perhaps, that confusion of events, 
and that impossible extent of the navigation to various 
parts of Europe and Africa which is narrated by the 
poets. The etymology, also* of the word Argo will 
support the suggestion that it was probably the common 
name for the first vessels constructed in a bent figure, 
to distinguish them from the flat rafts, with which rivers 
and narrow straits, had been usually passed. f If this be 
admitted, it becomes manifest, that many very different 
expeditions may have been united, and confused, under 
the general epithet of Argonautic, Poets would, un- 
doubtedly, seize the most striking circumstances of each 
voyage to engage the attention of their auditors, and 

* See Barman's Prefaces to his Quarto Edition of Valerius 
Flaccus. See also Preston's Essay on the Argonautic Expedition. 

f I am aware that the word Argo is usually derived from afyo$ 
swift, white, splendid: but this derivation is not satisfactory, because 
«pyo? appears to be a derivation from some other word which is 
lost. From the same source the name of Argus who is said to have 
an hundred eyes must be deduced : and in the interpretation of that 
fable, Argus is supposed to mean the sky, of which his numerous 
eyes are the stars. The original word must have signified arched, 
bent, or holloiv ; and will probably be found in the Hebrew name 
for Noah's Ark. The same root gives the Latin words, arcus, arr t 
area and their derivatives. 



x PREFACE. 

would conduct their hero through the medley of 
adventures, where probability might easily yield to the 
magic of the muses; or submit, patiently, to the inter- 
ference of the gods. 

From these statements it will appear, that the 
Argonautic Expedition has, in point of consequence^ 
an equal claim to attention with the Trojan war ; which 
Thucydides tells us was il fitted out after the manner 
of the ancient freebooters," The actions of so many 
men, whom the Grecians were accustomed to venerate as 
the primogenitors of their most illustrious families, and as 
the immediate descendants of their tutelary deities, must 
have rendered it particularly interesting to that nation. 
The present civilized world must, therefore, necessarily 
share in that interest, since it has derived from Greece 
every thing that is beautiful in the arts, and the rudiments, 
if nothing* more, of all that is great in the sciences. 

That authors of celebrity have had some reason to 
reject the voyage of the Argo in favour of other subjects, 
less entangled, and more capable of forming that entire 
action, which constitutes the epic poem, is also apparent 
from what I have already stated. Of the poems, that have 
been composed on this subject, none are accurately regu- 
lar. They are rather diffused details of a voyage, uniting 
the various distinct actions of different heroes under a 



PEEFACE. xi 

species of loco-motion., than the poetic narrative of one 
complete event. For, if the voyage is admitted to be 
that complete event, of which the several exploits are 
parts., then the ship Argo, or her pilot, would have a 
better claim to be the hero of the poem than Jason, who 
has nothing to do with the actual performance of the 
voyage ; and is little more than a passenger, conveyed to 
an appointed place, for the execution of a particular 
action. 

But whether or no the subject may be exactly con- 
formable to the laws of epic poetry, we find that it became 
very early the theme of metrical narration; and perhaps no 
ancient poet is without some allusion to it. A poem which 
has descended to us under the name of Orpheus, is the 
first that celebrates the whole of the Argonautic Expe- 
dition. The real author is unknown, but is supposed 
by Aristotle to have been a Pythagorean of Crotona. It 
is written, however, in the person of Orpheus, the son 
of the Muse Calliope, who describes himself as the 
companion of Jason throughout the voyage : but since, 
for many reasons, it is impossible that it could have been 
the composition of Orpheus the Thracian, whose very 
existence is doubted by Aristotle, it was probably com- 
posed in his name about the time of Pisistratus the 
tyrant. This is the opinion of Suidas who follows therein 
the supposition of Asclepiades. The incident in which 
<2F 



xii PREFACE. 

Orpheus is himself principally concerned, is his victory 
over the Sirens, by the superior harmony of his lyre, and 
voice. Of this passage I venture to give the following 
translation. 

Thence sailing we approach a rocky steep, 

Whose verdant crags o'erhang the refluent deep. 

In soften' d murmurs 'gainst the silvery shoals. 

With modulated pause, each billow rolls ; 

Thro' hollow caves light warbling breezes sound, 

And swell, in blending melodies, around. 

There sat the Siren-Maids, and sweetly sang; 

With vocal charm the throbbing echoes rang : 

So softly flows the soul-subduing strain, -j 

That seamen, lingering, ever there remain, I 

'Till listening life expires, lost in ecstasic pain. J 

Already distant notes, tho' faint, yet clear, 

With trembling sweetness touch the attracted ear : 

The men already hold the attentive breath, 

And drink, with greedy ears, the vocal death; 

Already loosen'd, falls the silent oar, 

Ancjsus, eager, puts the helm ashore .• 

When I, with rapid fingers, swept the lyre, 

And shook soft thunder from the quivering wire ; 

With the full peal, my voice, mellifluent, rose ; 

Thro' every note pursued the varying close; 

Swelled with the verse that kindled in my breast ; 

And all my mother taught at once exprest. 

I sang " How Neptune with immortal Jove, 

For the renowned aerial coursers strove: 



PREFACE. xiii 

Jove, whose wide realms the distant stars contain. 
And Neptune, monarch of the expansive main." 
I sang, " that, furious at his brother's boast, 
The God of Ocean smote the Phrygian coast : 
High rose his forky spear, whose swift descent 
The thundering earth in bounding fragments rent : 
The bounding fragments flew, diversely driven, 
With whistling blast, along the astonished heaven, 
'Till down, with rapid whirl, and headlong sweep, 
They burst the frothing bosom of the deep. 
Where, fixed, as steadfast islands* now they stand, 
And waves, enchafed, roll murmuring round the lando 
Sardinia, Salamis, Euboea, named, 
And Cyprus, for its stormy headlands famed." 
When this new 3 theme the astonish'd Sirens heard, 
Disorder'd phrenzy in their forms appear'd : 
Mute and desponding on the cliff they lay, 
Then, rising, threw their vanquish'd lyres away : 
Redoubled sighs absorbed their tuneful breath,— 
At every note they feel the chill of death : 
Yet still they listen to my wounding strain, 
Then, wrought to anguish, plunge into the main : 
There, into rocks their hardening members spread, 
And vocal breezes murmur round each head. 

But of all the Greek poems which relate to the 
Argonautic Expedition that of Apollonius, improper- 
ly called the Rhodian, is the most esteemed. He was a 
native of Naucratis,, a city situated on the Canopic 
mouth of the Nile : a place famous, also, for the birth of 



xiv PREFACE. 

the elegant and entertaining Athen/enus The anger of 
Callimachus, whose pupil he had been, was roused 
against him by some great offence, and produced that 
dreadful satire so famous among the ancients, entitled 
the Ibis ; which was afterwards imitated by Ovid. 



Nunc, quo Battiades initnicum devovet Ibin, 
Hoc ego devoveo teque, tuosque modo. 
Utque ille, historiis involvam carmina csecis r 

Ibis Ovid. v. 53. 

On thee, and thine my hateful curse shall flow, 
As when the son of Battus cursed his foe, 
Detested Ibis : and, like his, my song 
Shall wind in venom'd secrecy along. 

Apollonius succeeded Eratosthenes in the care of the 
Alexandrian Library, and was patronised by Ptolemy 
Evergetes. He must not be confounded with Apollo- 
nius of Caria, who instructed both Julius Caesar and 
Cicero at a school which he instituted in the island of 
Rhodes. His Argonautics have been lately translated 
by William Preston, Esq. M. R. I. A. who has joined 
many essays and notes to his work, which considerably 
elucidate the Argonautic period. 

The poem of Apollonius was very closely imitated, 
if not translated, by Atacinus Varro, in a Latin compo- 
sition, which, like that of the Greek author, was divided 
into four books, Varro was a native of Gaul, and is 



PREFACE. xv 

said to have written a poem entitled the Sequanian War ; 
which was probably founded on the triumphs of the 
Sequani over the iEdui by the assistance of Ariovistus 
and the Germans : triumphs which were terminated 
by the interference of Julius Cesar, who reduced the 
Sequani to their former inferiority. Varro distinguished 
himself by other poetry, but we are told in a boast of 
Horace on his excellence in satire, that Varro attempted 
that department of the muses in vain. Ovid mentions 
his Argonautica in the following manner, 

Varro N em, primamque ratem quae nesciet setas ? 
Aureaque iEsonio terga petita duci ? 

Ovid. Amor. L El. 15. 

Statius also alludes to Varro in one of the most beauti- 
ful poems of his Sylvm, the Genethliacon Lucani, where he 
classes him with Lucretius, Ovid, &c* 

I am at length arrived at my principal object, the 
poem of C. Valerius Flaccus. I have already shewn 
that the subject abounds with difficulties, and that its 
incongruities, in some measure, deprive it of that interest, 
which it is the advantage of the genuine epic to possess. 

* For accounts of other writers on the Argonautica, I refer my 
readers to the preface of Mr. Preston, which exhibits an interesting 
list of ancients and moderns, who have celebrated this expedition. 



xvi PREFACE. 

But the creations of Genius are not limited by art. That 
speculative Taste which hath ventured to legislate for 
the Imagination, would frequently perceive how feeble 
are its deductions, and how unwarrantable its authority, 
if Genius would dare to soar to Nature herself, who 
ought to be his guide. Had Valerius Flaccus been 
fully conscious of his own powers ; had his reverence 
for Virgil not made him so often shrink from himself, 
and rely for excellence upon the strength of imitation; — 
had he wholly rejected the work of Apollonius and 
sought in his own mind the model of his fable ; in a 
word, had the work been entirely his own, there is no 
doubt, from the strong irradiation of original thought, 
which perpetually displays itself, that Valerius Flaccus 
would have produced a poem, which if not strictly epic, 
would have had as just a claim to have become a prece- 
dent in the legislation of criticism, as the Iliad, the 
Odyssey, or the jEneid. The Pharsalia of Lucan and 
the Achilleis of Statius do not displease us on account 
of their want of a united epic action. It is their turgid 
language, their extravagant figures which disgust us. 
Had they looked up to Nature : had they felt with her 
soul, and created with her hand, they might have seized 
the delighted attention, although the periods which they 
describe had been more diffuse, and their incidents even 
less capable of harmonizing construction. The histori- 
cal Dramas, and indeed many of the other plays of 



PREFACE. xvii 

Shakespeare are, in point of plot, more forbidding 
than the poems of Lucan or Statius, but Nature leads 
us through every scene, and awakens an interest in every 
incident. I do not however wish to lessen the value of 
that unity of action, which constitutes ^the Epopee of 
the critics : I have acknowledged that it is conducive 
of the highest advantages to the poet : I revere it as the 
offspring of enlightened judgment; and I regret that 
in the poem of Valerius Flaccus it appears to be 
wanting. But I do not believe it to be indispensably 
necessary; and I consider that the genius of the author, 
who can sustain the interest of his narration without it, 
must be either of a superior cast, or must be more 
vividly exerted. 

Flaccus, in general, pursues the story of Apol- 
lonius : in the small connecting passages he almost 
translates his very expressions : but, whenever the theme 
elevates itself above the tract of mere narration; when- 
ever an object of grandeur ; an affecting trait of genuine 
nature ; an awful image of supermundane being, excites 
his powers, he peoples the lifeless paths of the patient 
Alexandrian* with groups of his own transcendant ideas. 



* By the two most illustrious critics that ever existed, Apollo- 
nius is said never to rise above mediocrity. These critics are 
Longiuus and Quintilian. Mr. Preston arraigns them of unjust 



xviii PREFACE. 

The subject which he receives as a torpid mass, dilates 
itself before the fervour of his imagination ; he stamps it 
with his mind, and makes it indelibly his own. The 
work of Apollonius is indeed his chart,, and he looks 
up to Virgil as] to the heavenly luminary, which is to 
direct his course, but the adventures and honour of the 
voyage are still his own. Nor does he gaze on the 
star of Virgil as the humble mariner fixes his eyes on the 
distant beams of the pole, regarding it merely as his 
guide, but like his own immortal Argo, he submits to 
the direction of a constellation, the brilliance of which 
he is conscious that he shall one day emulate. 

Flaccus is never, perhaps, inferior to Virgil, but 
when he too studiously imitates him. He is frequently 
superior, and I do not hesitate to say that the seventh 
book of his poem has never been surpassed. The most 
tender struggles of the female breast are there so art- 
fully mingled with the sublimity of supernatural agency, 
that our feelings are awakened with our astonishment; 
and that most difficult of all the tasks of composition is 
executed, the combination of natural pathos and terrific 
grandeur. We shudder at the increasing affection of 
Medea : her irresolution interests us : her amazement at 

partiality : the partiality of a translator for his author is, perhaps, 
not unjust. 



PREFACE. xk 

lier father's cruelty; and her fears lest Jason should un- 
dertake the labours appointed by her parent, divide our 
feelings with her's; 

Filia prima trucis vocem mirata tyranni 
Hsesit, et ad juvenem pallentia retulit ora, 
Contremuitque raetu, ne neseius audeat hospes, 
Seque miser ne posse putet. Lib. VII. 78. 



Struck with the cruel monarch's dire commands 
His daughter first in startled terror stands : 
Sudden, her blood-forsaken cheeks she rais'd, 
And, with quick tremor, on the stranger gazed, 
Shuddering lest he, too rashly, should declare, 
And toils, whose dangers yet he know not, dare. 

When Jason, having agreed to obey the dreadful com- 
mands of iEETEs, leaves his presence, 

.trepida et medios inter deserta parentes 

Virgo silet : nee fixa solo servare parumper 
Lumina, nee potuit mcestos non flectere vultus : 
Respexitque fores, et adhuc invenit euntem : 
Visus et heu miserre tunc pulchrior hospes amanti 
Discedens : tales humeros, ea terga relinquit. 
Ilia domum atque ipsos paullum procedere postes 
Optat, et ardenfes tenet intra limina gressus.* 

Lib. VII. 103. 

* Flaccus has been accused of imitating Apollonius in this 
passage ; and even Mr. Preston allows that he has nearly equalled 
2 G 



xx PREFACE. 

Trembling and silent 'mid her kindred trains. 
Like one deserted and alone, remains 
The royal maid : now, not an instant, more, 
Her eyes restrain' d will linger on the floor ; 
Now, not an instant, can she cease to raise 
Their humid beams or not indulge their gaze: 
Quick to the expanding palace gates they dart, 
And yet perceive the ardent youth depart : 
With manlier charms his shoulders spread behind, 
And leave his figure on her wretched mind. 
Now, that the obstructive pillars would retire, 
And the wails part, becomes her fond desire, 
While on thethreshold her fixed eyes she strains, 
And his last hasty footsteps there retains. 

Than which what can be more beautiful ? the two last 
and the three first lines of this passage are almost in- 

the elegance of the original. But the truth is that Flaccus appears 
to have avoided every resemblance in this place which the similarity 
of situation could have presented to him. Me has neglected the 
most striking beauties of Apollonius, and has supplied them with 
beauties of his own. Had he intended any imitation, he would 
certainly not have omitted, in his description, the most beautiful 
idea in all the Alexandrian's poem.. 



, yo©-* S"s of, bvr b'ys*p©' 

OTTVCUV IS 'i7I 07 WTO jt/.ET lp£V»a Vl?eO[A£VQlQ 



(r 446) 



And thought in vain the lovely guest pursued, 
As vvhen we catch at objects in a dream, 
That still beyond, yet ever near* us seem. 

Preston's Translation- 



PREFACE. xxi 

instable, botii as to delicacy of expression, and correct- 
ness of idea. In these., and in all the agitation of mind 
which follows, Nature herself dictated the description 
to the poet. With wonderful art he enumerates the 
actions of Medea, and leaves her thoughts to the sug- 
gestion of our imagination : thus when 

comitum visa fruitur miseranda suarum 

Impleri nequit ; subitoque parentibus heeret 
Blandior, et patriae circumfert oscula dextrae. 

■ Lib. VII. 121. 

On her companions now she turns her eyes, 
Insatiate views them, and forebodes their sighs ! 
With sudden fondness joins her kindred band, 
And showers wild kisses on her father's hand. 

we perceive that the idea of leaving her companions 
and her father is floating in her mind, and there contend- 
ing with her filial affections and duties. 

The persuasions of Venus in the form of Circe 
are finely imagined; and still more so the reply of Medea : 

Nulla quies animo, nullus sopor : ardua amanti ! 
Quaere malis nostris requiem, mentemque repone : 
Redde diem noctemque rnihi ; da prendere vestes 
Somniferas, ipsaque oculos componere virga. 
Tu quoque nil, mater, prodes mihi : fortior ante 
Sola fni. Tristes thalamos, infestaque cerno 
Omnia, vipereos ipsi tibi surgere crines ! 

Lib. VII. 244. 



xxii PREFACE 

My soul receives no peace, takes no repose : 
Nought, nought but arduous care the lover knows ? 
Calm these fierce pangs ; soothe, soothe this tortur'd 

mind : 
Grant me bright day and balmy night to find : 
Throw o'er my limbs the sleep-inducing vest; 
Compress my eyelids with the wand of rest. 
Thou, Mother, thou no gentle aid hast shewn,— 
I was more firm, was more composed alone ! 
Now all is woe ! — dark nuptials meet my eyes ! 
E'en 'mid thy tresses writhing snakes arise t 

These lines are certainly above all comment, as are 
those which immediately follow them. 

Talia verba dabat, conlapsaque flebat iniqua? 
In Veneris Medea sinus, pestemque latentem 
Ossibus, atque imi monstrabat pectoris ignem. 
Occupat amplexu Venus, et furialia figit 
Oscula, permixtumque odiis iuspirat amorem. 

Lib. VII. 251. 

Thus as Medea spake she drooped her head, 
And tears on Venus' cruel bosom shed : 
Confess'd the poison hidden in her frame, 
And how her inmost soul consumed with flame. 
The goddess held her in a close embrace : 
Prest direful kisses on her burning face: 
Love mixt with deadly hate her lips inspire--- 

It would exceed the limits of a preface to pursue 
the beauties of this interesting* scene with quotations. 



PEEFACE. xxiii 

The artful discourse of Venus, and the contending virtue 
of Medea gradually vanquished, afford so many striking 
passages, that preference in selecting them is almost 
impossible. When the reluctance of conscience is 
nearly subdued, and Medea prepares to begin her incan- 
tations, a pathetic apostrophe to herself bursts from her 
as she surveys the poisonous drugs in her cabinet of 
magical preparations : 

Utque procul magicis spirantia tecta venenis 

Et saavaa patuere fores, oblataque contra 

Omnia, quae Ponto, qua? Manibus emit imis, 

Et quae sanguinea Lunaa destrinxit ab ira : 

Tune sequeris, ait, quidquam, aut patiere pudendum$ 

Cum tibi tot mortes, scelerisque brevissima tanti 

Effugia ? — hsee dicens, qua non velocius ulla, 

Pestiferam toto nequicquam lumine lustrat. 

Cunctaturque super, morituraque conligit iras, 

O nimium jucunda dies, quam cara sub ipsa 

Morte magis ! — stetit, et sese mirata furentem est. 

Occidis, heu ! primo potes hoc durare sub sevo ? 

Nee te lucis, ait, nee videris ulla juventae 

Gaudia ? nee dulces fratris pubescere malas ? 

Hunc quoque, qui nunc est primsevus, Iasona nescis 

Morte perire tua, qui te nunc invocat unam, 

Qui rogat, et nostro quern primum in litore vidi ? 

■ Lib. VII. 327 

While direful drugs their deadly odours shed, 
Breathe o'er the roof, and through the portal spread s . 
Offering themselves afar ; what from the waves, 
Or from foul spectres in their loathsome graves 
Herself had plucked ; or what the Lunar wrath 
Drops on the fetid earth in sanguine froth : 



xxiv preface; 

" Shall I pursue or suffer shame," she cries* 

'« While such a crowd of deaths around me rise,, 

" Yielding from so much crime so swift a flight ?"' 

This as she spake she cast her eager sight, 

Unfixed, o'er all the venom'd shelves around 

Where drugs of every rapid death abound : 

On all, by turns, her eyes distracted roll, 

As her fell purpose instigates her soul. 

" Day of transcendant joy receive my breath ! 

" How doubly dear in this thy form of death !" 

Then, with a sudden pause, her thought revolves, 

And startles, shuddering at her dark resolves : — 

" Die ! — canst thou bear" she cried " in youth to die !: 

" From light — from life's expanding joys to fly? 

" Cease to behold thy brother's blooming face, 

" Ere the soft down bestows its manlier grace ! 

" And must not Jason by thy death expire, 

" The beauteous victim of thy cruel sire ? 

" He who invokes thee now, — thy aid implores, 

" He whom thou first beheldst upon these shores ! 

At the commencement of her incantations 

Dat dextram vocemque Venus, blandisque paventem 
Adloquiis, junctoque trahit per mcenia passu.* 

Venus, with hand and voice conducts the way, 
In cheering converse calming her dismay ; 

* I cannot here omit to notice the beautiful simile which follows 
these lines, and which has been so much admired in Goldsmith's 
Deserted Village. The same figure is found in Ovid where 
Daedalus is inciting his son Icarus to fly with hira through the air; 



PREFACE. xxv 

Close at her side her wavering footsteps leads, 
t And still beyond the city wall proceeds. 

until the rites become so terrific, that 

Jamque tremens longe sequitur Venus. 



And Venus trembling follows far behind. 

The allegory of which is so correct, that while we are 
carried into the regions of horror, we are accompanied 

and in that instance the similitude cf a bird instructing its young 
was so obvious, that it would have been surprising if Ovid had 
missed the allusion. In Flaccus and Goldsmith the comparison 
is not less accurate, though less apparent, and is therefore more 
pleasing. 

Velut ales, ab alto 

Qua teneram prolem produxit in aim nido, 
Hortaturque sequi ; damnosasque erudit artes : 
Et movct ipse suas et nati respicit alas. 

Metamorph. Lib. VIII. 21 3. 
Qualis adhuc teneros supreraum pallida foetus 
Mater ab excelso produxit in a'era nido, 
Hortaturque sequi ; brevibusque insurgere pennis ; 
Illos cajrulei primus ferit horror 01 vmpi ; 
Jamque redire rogant, adsuetaque quaeritur arbor : 
Haud aliter, &c. Argon. Lib. VII. 375. 

And, as a bird each fond endearment tries, 
To tempt its new-fledg'd offspring to the skies, 
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, 
Allured to brighter worlds and led the way. 

Goldsmith's Desert. Vil> 



xxvi PREFACE. 

by the human passions. The sudden appearance of 
Jason amid the dreadful orgies : the mutual astonishment 
of the lovers 

, ....qualesve prbfundum 

Per chaos occurrunt eeecae sine vocibus umbra?, 

As in the dark chaotic depth of night 
Clash startled spirits without voice or sight: 

their discourse until all the reluctance of conscience is 
subdued and all the restraint of female modesty vanishes, 
and 

Inde ubi facta noeenSj et non revocabilis umquam 
Cessit ab ore pudor, propriorque iinplevit Erinnys. 

Lib. VII. 461. 

Thence guilty, every tint of generous shame, 
Straight from her cheeks, irrevocable, fades, 
And swift Erinnys all her breast pervades. 

are together a series of the most animated description. 

The strength of true poetry lies in depicting the 
emotions of the human heart : traits of affection in all 
its forms are therefore the most beautiful colourings of 
Genius. Valerius Flaccus seizes every opportunity* 
that his subject affords to display his power in such 
delineations. The parting of Jason and his parents in 
the first book ; and particularly the description, in th© 



PREFACE. xxvii 

same book, of the infant Achilles brought by Chiron to 
his father Peleus, are equal to the best passages of the 
same kind in any author whatever. Perhaps in very 
few of the ancients could any thing be found so tenderly 
exquisite, since it must be acknowledged that magnanimi- 
ty and heroic valour more generally form the excellence 
of the Greek and Roman classics than traits of genuine 
sensibility. For the same reason Flaccus succeeds in 
that species of supernatural agency which is the offspring 
of natural fear, rather than in the machinery of his 
deities. The mythological divinities had been so much 
degraded, and were become so trite in his time, that 
they retained none of that awful respect which attaches 
to them in Homer and Virgil. He, therefore, intro- 
duces them less frequently. In all the poets of antiquity 
the gods are merely personifications of the passions and 
attributes of mankind : the sublimity of the idea attached 
to their power soon vanishes, and the imagination looks 
or immaterial existences which do not so easily assimi- 
rie with our own nature. The ghosts of the dead are 
io where more fearfully introduced than in the two fol- 
lowing passages. First, in the fourth book, where Pluto 
permits the spirits of those who had been slain by 
Amycus to behold the death of that monster, in his com- 
bat with Pollux ; 

Et pater orantes csesorum Tartarus umbras 
2H 



xxviii PREFACE. 

Nube cava tandem ad merits spectacula pugnae " 
Emittit : summi nigrescunt culmina montis. 

Lib. IV. 2.58. 

In the deep bosom of a hollow cloud, 
The Infernal Sire sent forth a shadowy crowd,— 
Ghosts of the murder'd, urgent for the sight, 
To glut their vengeance with the expected fight: 
Deep darkness settles on the mountain's height. 



r \ 



Secondly, in the fifth, where the appearance of 
Sthenelus, who is sent by the ghosts of the ancestors of 
the Argonauts to behold the enterprise of their descen- 
dants, is at once a trait of parental affection, and terrific 
sublimity. 

Fama per extremes quin jam volat improba manes 

Interea, magnis natorum laudibus implet 

(Venturam ccelo fatis melioribus Argo) 

Addita jamque fretis repetens freta, jamque ferentes 

Cyaneas. Ardent avidos attollere vultus, 

Quos pietas, vel tangit adhuc quos semula virtus. 

Fata inmota manent: unum, qui litore in illo 

Conditus, ad carae mittunt spectacula turbae, 

It Sthenelus :* qualem Mavortia vidit Amazon, 

* Sthenelus was the brother of Mencetius, who was the father 
of Patroclus and one of the Argonauts. He is therefore called 
Actorides, by Apollonius. This appearance of Sthenelus is found 
also in the poem of Apollonius and possesses great magnificence 
in his description. But I think that I may venture to assert, that 



PREFACE. xxix 

Cumque suis comitem Alcides ut condidit armis : 

Talis ab aequorei consurgens aggere busti 

Emicuit : fulsere undse : Sol magnus ut orbera 

Tolleret, aut nubem quateret polus. Atque ea vix dum 

Visa viris atra nox protiaus abstulit umbra : 

Ipse dolens altum repetit chaos. Lib. V. 82. 

it exhibits more richness of colouring than grandeur of design ; 
and that, were the subject proposed for the pencil of Mr. Fuseli, 
he would prefer the undefined and awful figure of Flaccus, to the 
panoply, and purple tiara of the Alexandrian. I shall insert the trans- 
lation of Mr. Preston which certainly retains much of the elegance 
of the original in this passage. 

And now the beach the stately barrow shows 
Where the remains of Stheneltjs repose:— 
Alcides led his youthful steps from far, 
With Amazons to wage adventurous war. 
Returning, here th' untimely doom he bore. 
An arrow pierc'd him on the fatal shore. 
Ere from that spot the Grecian vessel fled, 
Persephone, fair empress of the dead, 
(The warrior's mournful pray'r such pity mov'd) 
Anxious to greet the native bands he lov'd, 
Allow'd the shade from Stygian gloom to rise, 
With those dear objects to rejoice his eyes. 
High on the summit of his tomb he stood, 
And view'd the vessel dancing o'er the flood. 
Such as in life, appear'd th' illustrious shade, 
In beauty stern, in panoply arraj'd. 
His graceful head a radiant helmet prest, 
A cone of purple wav'd a four-fold crest. 
Short space conspicuous, hovering o'er his tomb/ 
He sunk— he vanish'd in eternal gloom. 

Preston's Tkansl.B. II. 1313. 



xxx PREFACE. 

Now all pervasive Fame her pinions spread 

'Mid the far distant shadows of the dead ; — 

Fill'd the blest spirits with their offspring's praise, 

Whose deeds the Argo to the heavens should raise. 

Sea joiu'd to sea she names, and shore to shore, 

And Cyanea threatening now no more. 

The manes, conscious of paternal love, 

Still all the pride of generous glory prove; 

To elevate their anxious eyes aspire, 

But Fate unmov'd, forbids the fond desire. 

One of their number, buried on that coast, 

They send, spectator of the darling host: 

Straight Sthenelus goes forth : his mighty mien 

Such by the Martial Amazon was seen ; 

Such by Alcides near the refluent wave, 

In all its arms was yielded to the grave ; 

As now, up-rising, o'er the sandy heap, 

Resplendant shone : bright glowed the billowy deep— - 

As, from the east, breaks forth the solar form, 

Or beamy skies amid a scatter'd storm. 

But while the men behold this awful sight, 

Within the impervious shades of rising night 

Involved it sinks, reluctant, from their gaze, 

And in Chaotic darkness, slow, decays. 

But the dreadful picture of Jealousy, which, in the 
second book, almost petrifies the feelings of the reader 
with horror, is esteemed by the critics as the master piece 
of the whole poem* Venus, there, the goddess of 

* Burman in his Testimonia de V. F. quotes many authors, but 
principally the commentaries of Caspar Barthius on Statius; who. 



PREFACE. xxxi 

Love, the tender patroness of voluptuous pleasure, and 
the mother of creation itself, becomes a fury 

, neque enirn alma videri 

Jam tumet, aut tereti crinem subnectitur auro, 
Sidereos diffusa sinus ; eadem effera et ingens, 
Et maculis suffecta genas, phmmque sonantem 
Vjbgmibus Stygiis, nigram que 6imillima pallam. 

Lib. II. 102. 

Nor boasts she now the genial fosterer's care, 
Nor in the pride of beauty wreathes her hair 
With beamy gold, as when her swelling breast, 
All unconfined, its heav'n of charms confest ; 
But with dark fierceness and gigantic mien, 
Her pallid cheeks with livid spots obscene, — 
In the black mantle of the Stygian dames, 
She shakes the crackling pine's terrific flames. 

She instigates the Lemnian women to the murder of 
their husbands, on their return home, attended by female 
slaves, whom they had brought with them from Thrace ; 
the booty of a successful expedition. She seeks out 
Vagrant Report or Fame, and deputes her to alarm the 
anxious wives of Lemnos with tales of this infidelity of 



concerning this part of the poem, says that Valerius Flaccus excel- 
lently describes Venus becoming a fury ; and inserts this passage, 
that he may do away the fastidiousness of those, who, on account 
of the youth of the author, have judged erroneously of his work. 



xxxii PREFACE. 

their husbands. Vagrant Report or Fame is not de- 
scribed by such minute circumstances as in Virgil's 
JEneid, or in Ovid's Metamorphoses, but perhaps as 
poetically as in either ; and her reception of Venus is 
particularly striking. 

Cum dea se piceo per sudum tuvbida nimbo 
Praecipilat ; Famamque vagam vestigat in umbra: 
Quern pater omnipotens digna atque indigna canentem, 
Spargentemque metus, placidis regionibus arcet 
Aetheris : ilia fermens habitat sub nubibus imis, 
Non Erebi, non diva poli : terrasque fatigat, 
Quas datur : audentem primi spernuntque foventque : 
Mox omnes agit, et motis quatit oppida Unguis. 
Talem diva sibi scelerisque dolique ministram 
Quaerit avens, videt ilia prior : jamque advolat ultro 
Impatieas : jamque ora parat ; jam suscitat aures.* 

Lib. II. 115, 

With swift descent across the azure skies, 
In a black cloud the troubled goddess flies ; 

* Caspar Barthius having cited this passage asserts that, if, 
together with the lines which immediately follow, it had been found 
in Virgil, it would have received the adoration of many ages. Cer- 
tainly the idea of Rumour being banished from the heavens and 
from the infernal regions, is finely imagined, and tends to elevate 
our notion of supernatural agency ; which is omniscient, and there- 
fore needs not the intelligence of Rumour. Jupiter, in Virgil, 
does not appear to be acquainted with the situation ofiEneas at 
Carthage, until Rumour hath spread the intelligence to the ears of 
Iarbas, and larbas hath made it known in heaven by his prayers. 



PREFACE. xxxiii 

Traces vague Rumour 'mid the unsettled glooms, 
Whom heaven-expell'd, the almighty father dooms 
Far from his placid seats to scatter dread, 
And praise and shame in wavering accents spread. 
To dwell in vapours, murmuring, was she driven, 
No goddess she of Erebus or Heaven ; 
O'er Earth alone her busy whispers rise, 
Where men detest yet nurse her embrio-lies; 
Till wide around she agitates the throng, 
And cities tremble on each eager tongue. 
Such was the agent, whom the goddess sought, 
Fit for the subtle crime that swayed her thought : 
She first her heavenly visitant espies, 
And swift, uncall'd, impatient, towards her flies : 
With listening looks, all-tremulous appears, 
And stands, expanding her expectant ears. 

The artful speech of Venus under the form of 
Dryope (one of the Lemnian wives) ; the arrival of the 
Lemnians ; the treachery of the enraged women ; the 
descent of Venus as a fury ; the commencement of the 
massacre, &c. are incidents so wonderfully drawn toge- 
ther, that I must insert the whole passage to give the 
reader any thing like a correct idea of its excellence. 

Has inter medias, Dryopes in imagine moestae, 
Flet Venus ; et ssevis ardens dea planctibus instat. 
Primaque : Sarmaticas utinam, Fortuna, dedisses 
Insedisse domos, tristesque habitasse pruinas, 
Plaustra sequi ; vel jam patriae vidisse per ignes 



PREFACE. 

Culmen agi ; stragemque deum ! nam cetera belli 
Perpetimur. Mene ille novis, me destinat amens 
Servitiis ? urbem aut fugiens natosque relinquam ! 
Non prius ense manas, raptoque armabimus igne ? 
Dumque silent, ducuntque nova cum conjuge somnos, 
Magnum aliquid spirabit amor ? — tunc ignea torquens 
Lumina, prsecipites excussit ab ubere natos. 
Ilicet adrectaa mentes, evictaque matrum 
Corda sacer Veneris gemitns rapit. JEquora cunctae 
Prospiciunt, gimulantque choros, delubraque festa 
Fronde tegunt, Isetseque viris venientibus adsunt 
Jamque dornos mensasque petunt ; discumbitur altis 
Porticibus : sua cuique furens festinaque conjux 
Adjacet : inferni qualis sub nocte barathri 
Acubat attonitum Phlegyan et Thesea juxta 
Tisiphone, ssevasque dapes et pocula libat, 
(Tormenti genus) et nigris amplectitur hydris 
Ipsa Venus quassans undantem turbine pinum 
Adglomerat tenebras, pugna?que adcincta trenientem 
Desilit in Lemnon : nimbisque et luce fragosa 
Prosequitur polus, et tonitru pater auget honoro. 
Inde novam pavidas vocem furibunda per aures 
Congeminat: qua primus Athos, et pontus, et ingens 
Thraca pal us, pariterque toris exborruit omnis 
Mater, et adstricto riguerunt ubere nati. 
Adcelerat Pavor, et Geticis Discordia demens 
E stabulis, atrseque genis pallentibus Ira?, 
Et Dolus, et Rabies, et Leti major imago 
Visa, truces exserta manus ; ut prima vocatu 
Intonuit, signumque dedit Mavortia conjux. 
Hie aliud Venus et multo magis ipsa tremendum 



PREFACE. 

Orsa nefas, gemitus fingit, vocesque cadentum : 
Inrupitque domos : et singultantia gestans 
Ora maim, taboque sinus perfusa recenti, 
Adreetasque comas : Meritos en prima reverter 
Ulta toros : pvemit eece dies. Turn verbere victas 
In thalamus agit, et cunctantibus invenit enses. 
Unde ego &c. Lib. II. 1/4. 

Venus 'mid these as Dryoue appears, 
Mournful her figure, unrestrain'd her tears. 
Burning with grief she beats her sounding breast, 
And, first, she thus her loud complaints exprest. 
O ! Fortune, that thou hadst with favouring hand 
Placed us upon Sarmatia's dreary land, 
To dwell midst frozen wilds, and fearful roam 
Thro' tracks of snow behind the waggon-home ! 
Or had we seen, before these harlots earned 
Our roofs hang tottering in the ascending flame ; — 
Beheld our gods and all their fanes consume ;™ 
For the whole worst of war is now our doom ! 
Me does the fool — what, me does he intend. 
Submissive round his wanton slave to bend ? 
Or from the city must I speed my flight, 
Aud leave his offspring lingering in his sight ? 
No — first the vengeful faulehion let us raise, 
Shake from the torch its wide vindictive blaze ! 
While amorous sleep absolves them from alarms, 
Softly exhausted in their harlots' arms, 
Let injured Love some dreadful deed inspire ! 
She spake — and from her eyes shot livid fire — 
And gazing, furious, on the crowd around, 
Dashed from her breast her infauts on the ground. 
21 



xxsvi PREFACE. 

Swift thro' each bosom rush'd her startling moan,—* 
All their struck nerves its kindred tremors own, 
While vengeful Venus reigns in every part, 
And conquers e'en the fond maternal heart. 
Now gaze they on the ocean, and advance, 
Along the shores, in well dissembled dance, — 
With festal wreathes adorn each sacred place, 
And greet their husbands with a false embrace. 
Home and the genial board they next prepare, 
And spread the lofty couch with treacherous care : 
Then, with bewilder'd haste, and mock caress, 
Smothering their rage, each husband's bosom press; 
Thus, in the midnight of the infernal den, 
Tisiphone reclines with guilty men ; 
To shuddering Phlegyas and to Theseus clings, 
And her black snakes around each bosom flings ; 
In all their dreadful banquet takes her part, 
And presses them (their torment) to her heart. 
Now Venus shakes the cloudy torch on high, 
And floods of smoke in wavy volumes fly : 
On every side the deepening shade extends, 
Thro' which towards trembling Letnnos she descends. 
Girded for contest : tempests round her rise, 
And broken flames flash faintly thro' the skies, 
While, in applausive peals, her father's hand 
Rolls the full thunder o*er the fearful land : 
Thence with unusual tones her accents sound, 
Redoubling all the horror wide around : 
Athos aad Pontns and the Euxine lake, 
Thro' their dark depths in awful terror shake : 
Each mother starts in horror from her rest, 1 
And clasps her fear-chill'd infant to her breast: 



PREFACE. xxxvii 

Then, as the concubine of Mars commands 
In thunder, and gives signal to their bands, 
Terror rueh'd forth, — and, with infuriate pace, 
Distracted Discord left the stalls of Thrace : 
Black Wraths around in livid groups were seen. 
Deceit's foul form, and Slaughter's horrid mien ; 
Death in his most gigantic shape appear'd, 
And high his crimson hands, exulting, rear'd. 
Venus meantime her height of vengeance dares, 
And scenes replete with direful crime prepares : 
With groans, and gasping shrieks, and dying cries, 
Thro' every house tumultuous] y she flies : 
A sever'd head all-agonized she bore, 
Her panting bosom smear'd with recent gore, 
Her hair erect — " Lo ! here," she shouted " view 
'•* What to the violated bed is due ! 
" I first — but, see ! the rapid morning breaks !" 
Straight, all the rage of jealousy awakes: 
Through every chamber she impels their speed, 
And finds them deadly weapons for the deed. 

Julius C. Scaliger, whose general severity does 
not spare the slightest faults, acknowledges that the 
Argonautica of C. Valerius Flaccus contain speci- 
mens of the greatest excellence in poetn^ : He declares 
him, in every thing, superior to Apollonius Rhodius ; 
and ventures to compare the storm in the first book of 
his poem to that in the first book of the ^Eneid. He con- 
siders the speech of Jason to Metes as a most eloquent 
and interesting harangue : and although he says that the 



xxxviii PREFACE. 

poem is, upon the whole, inferior to what he expected 
to have found it, yet he confesses that it contains so 
many beautiful parts, that it is difficult to conceive what 
the height of his expectations could have been.* The 

* Pope in a note in the first book of the Iliad points out the 
deficiency of judgment in Scaliger in overlooking the chief charac- 
teristic of the oath of Achilles on his sceptre in the quarrel with 
Agamemnon. One of the greatest beauties of that passage consists, 
undoubtedly, in the idea that as, " the wood being cut from the 
" tree will never re-unite and flourish, so neither should their amity 
" ever flourish again after they were divided by this contention." 
This just observation, our great translator gives from Eustathius 
and then shews the poverty of Virgil's imitation of the same oath, 
since he puts it, with all its circumstances, into the mouth of Lati- 
nus, where " being used on occasion of a peace, it hath no emble- 
" matical reference to division." Thus far our British Homer is 
correct ; yet he should have remarked that Latinus does not swear 
by his sceptre : his attestation is 

Iftec eadem, iEnea, terrain, mare, sidera juro &c. 

and the sceptre is brought in at the end of the oath with little better 
reason than because " dextra sceptrum nam forte gerebat" 

But had I not found a very negligent quotation from Valerius 
Flaccus in the same note, I should not have introduced any part 
of it here. The same Homeric passage is found in the third book 
of the Argonautica, where says Pope, " Valerius Flaccus make s 
" Jason swear as a warrior, by his spear." " And indeed" continues 
he " however he may here borrow some expressions from Virgil, or 
" fall below him in others, he has nevertheless kept to Homer in 



PREFACE, xxxix 

poem may indeed, when taken as a whole, be thought 
to want general effect ; but it should be recollected that 
we possess not more than two thirds of that whole. We 
know not where the author meant to terminate the 



t: the emblem, by introducing the oath upon Jason's grief for 
" sailing to Colchos without Hercules, when he had separated him- 
'* self from the body of the Argonauts, in search after Hylas." — 
Now it happens that the lines are not spoken by Jason, but to Jason 
by Telamon the bosom friend of Hercules. Neither does Flaccus 
in this place borrow some expressions from Virgil or fall below him 
in any. Pope would not have brought such an accusation had he 
properly considered the passage. The Homeric idea is so suited to 
the occasion, and is expressed with such dignified simplicity, that I 
would almost venture to pronounce it as much the property of 
Flaccus as of Homer himself. No image could more strongly paint 
the situation to which the Argonauts are reduced by the loss of 
Hercules: where Telamon, therefore, exclaims 

Hanc ego magnanimi spolium Didymaonis hastam, 
Queb neque jam frondes, virides nee proferet umbrasi 
Ut semel est evulsa jugis, ac matre peremta 
Fida ministeria, et duras obit horrida pugnas, 
Testor : et hoc omni, ductor, tibi numine firmo : 
Ssepe metu, saepe in tenui discrimine rerum, 
Herculeas jam serus opes, spretique vocabis 
Arma viri : nee nos tumida hsc turn dicta javabunt. 

Lib. III. 707. 

This spear, the mighty Didymaon's spoil, 
Which torn for ever from its native soil, 
Tom from its wither'd mother-stem, shall ne'er 
Spread in new boughs or shade the summer air, 



xl PREFACE. 

action : whether it was to have been extended to the mar- 
riage of Jason with Creusa, or to have concluded, like 
the poem of Apollonius, with the voyage. In the for- 
mer case the plan would have been more complete : the 
commission of crime with its dreadful consequences 
would have formed one entire subject. But although 
this extent of the design seems to be intimated by the 



But form'd to faithful service, shall maintain 
The dreadful contests of the sanguine plain ;—-. 
This spear I now attest ! — and in its name, 
As my sole godhead, Leader, I proclaim, 
That by rash fears and dangers oft betray'd, 
Thou shalt, too late, implore Herculean aid- 
Too late implore that Hero's slighted arms, 
When no swoln boasts can save us from alarms. 

it is the same as if he had said " We, the Argonauts, have been 
" torn like a tree from the firm ground to perish in this unheard 
" of adventure, and we have lost him, who, like that branch of 
" which the spear is fashioned, is the only one among us able to 
ie sustain such dreadful conflicts as we are liable to meet with." 
He therefore adds " hoc omni numine" with this spear for my only 
divinity, that is, " by Hercules of whom this spear is the emblem," 
I affirm, &c. &c. 

It thus appears that the internal idea, or what Pope calls the 
emblem, is entirely distinct from that in Homer, and that it is 
here so particularly adapted to the occasion as to clear Flaccus from 
any charge of plagiarism. 



PREFACE. xli 

prophecy of Mopsus, in the first book, and the decla- 
ration of Jupiter to Juno, in the fourth, 

I — furias, Veneremque move : dabit impia pcenas 
Virgo, nee iEetee gemitus patiemur inultos. 

Lib. IV. 13. 

Go then — call forth the furies, call forth Love ! 
The impious daughter shall my vengeance prove — 
On me iEetes shall not call in vain 

yet from the opening* of the poem it appears that the 
celebration of the voyage formed the whole of the poet's 
intention. Prophecies are frequently introduced, and 
perhaps, like the vision of Adam in Paradise Lost, they 
may be construed into a more just conclusion of the 
poetic action, than the termination of the poem itself 
would have been. 

Having given this detail of some of the merits of 
the work, it remains for me to speak of the author him- 
self : and here I regret that we know so little of the 
life of so excellent a poet. Poverty seems to have op- 
pressed him, and to have thrown her deadening obscurity 
over both his existence, and his writings. It was pro- 
bably the hand of poverty that restrained him from the 
completion of his undertaking, and condemned to obli- 
vion the other exertions of his genius. Martial mentions 
him in numerous epigrams, and always with the warmth 
of esteem, and the fondness of friendship. Quintilian 
deplores his early death in the following short but ex- 



xlii PREFACE. 

pressive passage. "Multum in Valerio Flacco nuper 
iC amisimus." 

We learn that he was a native of Padua, from 
Martial, who addresses the following epigram to our 
author, by which we understand that, though poor, he 
was extremely attached to the Muses : an avocation not 
likely, as Martial intimates, to increase his finances. 

O mihi curarum pretium non vile mearum, 

Flacce, Antenorei spes et alumne laris, 
Pierios differ cantusque chorosque sororum. 

]Es dabit ex istis nulla puella tibi. 
Quid tibi cum Cyrrha ? quid cum Permessidos unda ? 

Romanum proprius divitiusque forum est. 
Illic aera sonant. At circum pulpita nostra, 

Et steriles cathedras basia sola crepant. 

Of which I venture to subjoin the following imitation : 

O thou, the valued object of my care, 

The hope and nursling of Antenor's town, 
My Flaccus of Pierian songs beware : 

There's not a Muse will give you half-a-crown. 
To you what's Cyrrha ? — what the Thracian stream ? 

The Roman bar is richer and more near : 
There chink the fees : — here steril praises teem, 

And kisses are the richest chirpers here. 

Juvenal is thought to have alluded to the poem of 
Valerius Flaccus in the first of his satires. This does 



PREFACE. xliii 

not seem to me improbable, although Burman assures us 
that the suggestion has been refuted. The circumstances 
which the Satirist introduces, and of which he says 

Expectes eaclem a summo minimoque Poeta. 

apply so accurately to the first book of the Argonautica 
of Flaccus, that I am tempted to imagine he had just 
heard it recited in the Portico of the munificent and 
learned Julius Fronto. The manner in which he seems 
to allude to our author's work is, however, not that of 
condemnation. He merely says that the subjects it 
contains are common to both good and bad authors; 
and, so frequently hath he heard them, that no man is 
better acquainted with his own home than he is with the 
Grove of Mars, fyc: he himself therefore prefers the 
more manly theme of Satire. Every topic, which he 
enumerates, is to be found in the following translation, 
and will be pointed out in the notes. 

By the commencement of the Argonautica we per- 
ceive that our author was one of the Quindecim-Viri, 
whose office it was to preserve, inspect, and interpret 
the books of the Sybils. It has also been concluded by 
most of the learned commentators, that the poem was 
begun under the reign of Vespasian, to whom it appears 
to be addressed ; but Dodwell, in his Annates Quinti- 
lianei, has brought forward such collateral evidence, as 
2K 



xliv PREFACE. 

inclines me to agree with him in believing, that the work 
was commenced while Domitian was Emperor. Dod- 

well's arguments I have translated in the notes. 

The two additional names of Setinus and Balbus, 
which, it appears, are found in the most ancient manu- 
script extant, have created much confusion among the 
commentators. It is asserted that live names were not in 
use among the Romans, until the century succeeding that, 
in which Valerius Flaccus lived ; and Heinsius con- 
ceives the appellation of Setinus Balbus to have belong- 
ed to some philologist who corrected the copy, or to the 
possessor of it. The truth is scarcely worth a deep inves- 
tigation ; nor does it hardly deserve to be mentioned that 
some silver coins bearing the efllgies of a youth with the 
inscription C. Valerii Flacci have been found, which 
by J. Baptista Pius is thought to be intended for our 
author; particularly as a figure on the reverse, which he 
calls Ceres, is interpreted by him as a strong reference 
to the mystic ordinances of the Quindecim-Viri. Hein- 
sius, on the contrary, assures us that no coins of honour 
were struck after the reign of Tiberius in the name of 
any except the family of tSie Emperors, and declares the 
figure on the reverse to be that of Victory and not of 
Ceres, and therefore without any allusion to the author 
of the Argonautica. Heinsius, however, acknowledges 
that coins in honour of the Quindecim-Viri, as a body, 



PREFACE. xh 

were struck: those in the reign of Vitellius bear the 
countenance of the emperor ; and on the reverse, a tri- 
pod between a dolphin and a craw* with the inscrip- 
tion XV VIR : SACR : FAC. 

That Valerius Flaccus died in the latter end of the 
reign of Domitian, is certain, since Quintilian, who 
laments his death as a recent loss to the literary world, 
completed and published his Institutes about that period. 
It is doubtful, however, whether the Argonautica was 
left incomplete, or whether the ravages of ignorance and 
barbarity have reduced it to the state in which we possess 
it. If we suppose it to have been begun under the reign 
of Vespasian, twelve years must have elapsed between its 
commencement and the death of its author ; a sufficient 
period indeed for him to have finished his design. There 
is a beautiful passage in the sixth Book, where he com- 
pares the confusion occasioned by the chariots of Arias* 
menus to the fury of civil discord instigating the Roman 
Legions to mutual destruction. If we suppose this to 
have been written soon after the taking of Rome by the 
troops of Vespasian, under Antonius and Mucianus, its 
interest will be the greater : it will also be an argument in 
favour of those, who think the work was once complete, 
since it will shew that it was considerably advanced at a 
very early period of the Author's life. The lines are 
these. 



xlvi PREFACE. 

Romanas veluti ssevissima cum legiones 
Tisiphone regesque movet: quorum agmina pilis, 
Quorum aquilis utrimque micant, eademque parentis 
Rura colunt; idem lectos ex omnibus agris 
Miserat infelix non hsec ad proelia Thybris. 

■ Lib. VI. 402, 

As when Tisiphone with fatal ire 
Doth Roman legions, and their sovereigns fire ; 
'Mid either battle's dreadful ranks appear 
The Roman Eagle, and the Roman spear : — 
The frowning warriors of each adverse band 
Till'd the same soil — the same their parent-land — 
The same sad Tiber from his flowery leas 
CalFd them to wars, — but not to wars like these. 

With respect to the following translation I have 
only to say, that I have endeavoured to adhere, as closely 
as possible, to the sense and manner of the original. I 
am conscious that it is impossible to be a faithful tran- 
slator of Valerius Flaccus without being a poet : but I 
think it unjust to endeavour to be a poet by distending 
or distorting ideas, which it is the business of a transla- 
tor to exhibit in a new language, but not to diversify. A 
translator of an ancient classic author into a modern 
language is to his original, what an engraver is to an 
eminent painter :* with very inferior materials, the en- 

* It has been shewn me that this comparision between an en- 
graver and a translator is not original : Mr. Landseer has remarked 
the same similarity in his Lectures on Engraving. At the same 



PREFACE. xhii 

graver must give an accurate imitation of the picture be- 
fore him : the same outline, the same shades, the same 
general effect must be produced by a very different ope- 
ration, inadequate in itself to all the expression of the 
pencil. To perform his task he must enter into all the 
ideas that produced the original : he must feel its cha- 
racter ; he must conceive its design ; he must, in mind 
be the painter himself: but he must go no further: He 
must not vary the effect to suit his materials ; he is an 
engraver with the genius of a painter, but his design is 
before him. It is in the same manner that I understand 
the duties of a translator : I endeavour to conceive as a 
poet all the expressions of my original, to seize all the 
light and shade of his incidents, but I remember that it 
is not an original poem which I am to produce, but the 
translation of a poem. Should this first book meet the 

time I must acknowledge myself one of" the URinformed, whom we 
" frequently hear talk as if they conceived the highest effort of 
■<•' painting was merely to copy nature, as nature appears to them."+ 
I confess 1 know nothing superior to nature, as it appears to any 
human being who contemplates it, for either painting or poetry to 
>copy, since they are universally acknowledged to be imitative arts ; 
and I know nothing superior to the natural feelings of the painter or 
poet, which an engraver or translator ought to attempt to introduce. 
The execution or expression is indeed entirely their own, and in 
that alone can they pretend to be painters or poets. 

} Landseei's Lectures on. Engraving. 



xlviii 



PREFACE. 



approbation of the Public, I shall feel myself called 
upon to bring forward the remaining books, with such 
a continuance of the subject to the conclusion of the 
voyage as may be derived from the works of other 
authors. 



--. 






;, 




FROM AN ANTIQUE. 



FIRST BOOK 



THE ARGONAUTICA 

OF 

C. VALERIUS FLACCUS 

SETINUS BALBUS, 



C. VALERII FLACCI. 

SETINI BALSI 

ARGONAUTICON 

LIBER PRIMUS, 



lhe subject being proposed, the poet invokes the aid of Phoebus, 
and implores the protection of Vespasian. Pelias, king of Hcemonia, 
[otherwise called Thessaly) warned by oracles, and omens, that his 
destruction should proceed from his brother s family, incites his nephew 
Jason to undertake an expedition to Colchos for the purpose of reco- 
vering the Golden Fleece. Juno and Minerva at the prayer of Jason 
descend front Heaven. Minerva directs the building of the Argo and 
adorns it. Juno excites the youth of Greece to join the expedition, and 
with indignation perceives Hercules among the other Heroes. The 
ornaments of the Argo. The sacrifices. The prophesies of Mopsus 
and ldmon. The song of Orpheus, and the encouraging assurances of 
the vessel itself The Argo is launched and manned. The parting of 
the Argonauts and their friends , particularly of Jason and his Father 
and Mother, JEson and Aiciimde. A catalogue of the Argonauts. 
Adrastus, the son of Pelias, joins them, and they depart. Jupiter 
beholds them from his celestial throne, and silences the complaints of 
Sol for his son Metes. Jupiter illumines the foreheads of Castor and 
Pollux icith stars. Boreas perceives the Argo and alarms /Eolus* 
The winds burst from the caves. A storm ensues. The terror 
of the Argonauts. The storm is assuaged by Neptune. Pelias 
mean time enraged by the loss of Adrastus resolves to destroy JEson and 
Alcimede. They poison themselves. Their reception in Elysium. 




A hose Seas., I sing, where Heaven's heroic race 
Dared their first path amid the billows trace ; 
And that prophetic bark, whose fearless oars 
Pursued the windings of the Scythian shores, 
On Phasis' stream impelled its rapid way, 
Startling the astonished banks with strange dismay ; 
'Till moor'd at length where, 'mid the beamy skies, 
The star-crown'd summits of Olympus rise. 



Jl rima deum magnis canimus fieta pervia natis, 
Fatidicamque ratem, Scythici quae Phasidis oras 
Ausa sequi, mediosque inter juga concita cursus 
Rumpere, flammifero tandem consedit Olympo« 



2 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Instruct me Phcebus with, celestial aid, 

If conscious now of Cumjj's heaven-taught maid, 10 

Thy tripod sanctifies a guiltless dome, 

If on my brows thy laurels justly bloom ! 

And Thou, of fame sublimer from the main, 

Since Caledonia's waves (whose rude disdain 

Victorious 'gainst the Trojan Julii swell'd) 15 

Bore thy proud sails, to calm submission quell'd ; 

Thou, awful Father, from ignoble crowds, 

From earth envellop'd with perpetual clouds, 

Bear me sublime ; my lays with favour crown ; 

Heroes I sing, and deeds of old renown. 20 

Thy son, ( for well he can ) in loftier strains. 

May shew the waste of Idumjian plains ; 

The blackening dust that round his brother flies 

From falling Solyma, and flames that rise, 



5 Phcebe mone ! si Cyumje raihi conscia vatis 
Stat casta cortina domo ; si laurea digna. 
Fronte viret. Tuque O, pelagi cui major aperti 
Fama, Caledonius postquam tua carbasa vexit 
Oceanus, Phrygios prius indignatus Iulos, 
10 Eripe me populis, et habenti nubila terrae, 

Sancte pater ; veterumque fave veneranda canenti 
Facta virum : versam proles tua pandet Idumen, 
(Namque potest) Solymo nigrantem pulvere Fratrem. 



THE ARGONAUTICA 3 

While he, enraged, moves in vindictive power, 25 

Hurls the fierce torch> and shakes the tottering tower. 

To thee the rites of Gods, and, through the state. 

Temples his hallow 'd voice shall consecrate, 

When thou, his parent, shalt around the pule 

New floods of light, with mild effulgence, roll : 30 

Less clear that radiant northern star that guides 

The Tyrian barks, thro' unattempted tides ; 

Less clear, less certain, Helice displays 

To Grecian pilots her united rays ! 

O whether 'midst thy varying signs shall rise 35 

The manifested wisdom of the skies, 

Or, as thy bright conducting beams befriend, 

Greece, Nile and Tyre their freighted vessels send ; 

Shine now serene on my attempt ! — my verse, 

Latium shall then, through all her towns, rehearse. 40 



Spargentemque faces, et in omniturre furenteui. 

15 Ille tibi cultusque deum, delubraque genti, 
Instituet ; cum jam genitor lucebis ab omni 
Parte poli : neque enim in Tyrias Cynosura carinas 
Certior; aut Grajis Helice servanda magistris : 
Seu tu signa dabis, seu te duce GrjECIA mittet, 

20 Et Sidon Nilusque rates. Nunc nostra serenus 
Orsa juves ; hsec ut Latias vox impleat urbes 



4 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

From his first years the reign of Pelias spread, 
HLemonia's long oppression and her dread. 
His all the streams that seek the Ionian main, 
H^mus and Othrys, both, his realms contain ; 
And his rude plowshare turn'd, with prosperous toil, 45 
The lower acres of Olympian soil. 
But to his troubled soul no rest is given, 
His brother's race he fears, and threatening Heaven : 
For in prophetic strains the minstrels sing 
That from his brother's race his death shall spring : 50 
The victims this forebode in rites divine, 
With many a dark, admonitory sign. 
But above all, with fame confirming fate., 
With virtues that increased the tyrant's hate, 
./Eson's great son at Pelias' court appears, 55 

Whose death the conquest of perpetual fears, 



HiEMONiAM primis Pel; as frenabat ab annis, 
Jam gravis et longus populis metus : illius amnes, 
Ionium quicumque petunt : ilie Othryn et H^emum, 

25 Atque imum felix versabat vomere Olympum. 
Sed non ulia quies animo fratrisque paventi 
Progeniem diviimque minas : hunc nam fore regi 
Exitio vatesque canunt, pecudumque per aras 
Territici monitus iterant : super ipsius ingens 

30 Instat fama viri, virtu sque haud laeta tyranno. 

]%rgo anteire metus, juvenemque exstinguere pergit 



THE ARGONAUT'ICA. 5 

In every tortured thought the king designed, 

Crowding with all destruction's arts his mind. 

But wars nor monsters throughout Greece he found ; 

Alcides' brows the Lion's terrors bound. 6Q 

Arcadia no Lern^ean snake defends ; 

With broken horns each bull reluctant bends. 

Storms, and the varied perils of the seas, 

At length his dark-revolving treachery please. 

With unalaring front, and courteous smile, 65 

His words impressive with dissembled guile, 

The hero he accosts : ff Thy aid, I ask : 

ei Let me assign thy soul a warrior's task. 

" No deeds of old with equal lustre shine : 

cc Attend, and., ardent, second my design. 70 

ec How Phrixus, of our own Creth^ean race, 

" Fled the dread altars of his native place, 



jEsonium; letique vias ac tempora versat. 

Sed neque bella videt, Grajas neque monstra per urbes 

Ulla. Cleon^eo jam tempora clusus hiatu 

35 Alcides : olim Lern^e defensus ab angue 

Arcas; et ambobusjam cornua fractajuvencis. 
Ira maris, vastique placent discrimina ponti. 
Cumjuvenem, tranquilla tuens, nee fronte timendus, 
Occupat ; et fictis dat vultum et pondera verbis : 

40 Hanc mihi militiam, veterum quae pulchrior actis, 

Adnue ; daque animum. Nostri de sanguine PHRixyg 
Cretheos ivt patrias, audisti, effugerit aras. 



6 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

f '*Thou oft hast heard : Where fierce ^Eetes reigns, 

<c His foreign blood the festal table stains : 

<s Startling the hospitable rites he bleeds : 75 

" Nor us, nor heaven the proud vEetes heeds. 

(e Him, impious scandal of the God of day, 

" Scythians wide realms where Phasis flows olbey. 

fC No vagrant tales this monstrous deed disclose, 

'"' But when my limbs sink slowly in repose, 80 

" The youth, I view, — the youth himself appears, — 

{C Pale — wounded— -murmuring horrors in my ears ! 

■•' And Helle, now a goddess of the deep, 

i! Fills with her urgent prayers my wavering sleep. 

• ( Had I the strength my youthful valour knew, 85 

K( Here you the murderer's head and spoils should view, 4 

e: Colchos should groan with my vindictive rage ! 

" O) why this lifeless impotence in age ! 



Hunc fertis xEetes, Scythtam Phasinque rigentem 
Qui colit, (hen magni Solis pudor !) hospita vina 

45 Inter, et attonitae mactat sollemnia menssD, 

Nil nostri divumque memor. Non nuntia tantum 
Fama refect: ipsum juvenem tarn sseva gementem, 
•'^ Ipsum ego, cum serus fessos sopor adligat artus, 
\Adspicio : meque adsiduis lacera illius umbra 

50 Qusestibus, et magni numeu maris excitat Helle. 
Si mihi, quae quondam, vires ; vel pendere poenas 
Colchida jam, et regis caput hie atque arraa videres, 
Oiim annis ille ardor* hebet: necdura rnea proles 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 7 

" Nor is my son, alas ! for rule mature, 

" The toils of war, or ocean to endure ; 90 

" But thou, in whom our hopes delighted fincji 

( ' Prudence., and all the energies of mind, 

" Depart,, the pride of thy expectant race 

" The fleecy prize in Grecian walls replace : 

" Here let the Nephel^ean treasure shine,--- 95 

<c Know thy own worthy and feel these glories thine ! '■ 

Thus he the youth exhorts, almost commands, 
But checks his eager words, and silent stands : 
Certain that where the Scythian Ocean roars, 
Continual clash the Cyanean shores : 106 

Nor would the dragon's horrid form suggest, 
By whom the spoil of fleecy gold's possest : 
Whose many pointed tongues pant o'er his jaws, 
What time, with charmful voice, the princess draws 



Imperio, et belli rebus matuta manque. 

55 Tu, eui jam curaeque vigent, animique viriles, 
\ decus: et peeoiis Nephel/EI vellera Grajo 
Redde tholo ; et tantb temet dignare periclis. 
Conticuit, certus Scythicq concurrere ponto 
Cyaneas : tantoque silet possessa dracone 

(30 Vellera; multifidas regis quern filia linguas 
Vibrantem ex adytis cantu dapibusque voea^at 



8 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

The hungry monster to his venom 'd food 105 

Of livid honey, stain'd with curdling blood. 

But soon the lurking frauds, unveild, declare 

That not the fleece excites the monarch's care : 

And, undeceived, himself the 3011th beheld 

O'er ruthless waves, by timid hate corn peil'd. 110 

Thoughtful he studies by what art to gain 

The Colchian shores beyond the fearful main : 

Now, like aerial Perseus to arise 

On feather'd feet, and tread the lofty skies, 

Anxious desires; and now that hero's car, 115 

Whom harness 'd dragons wafting from afar, 

Lands not to Ceres known his plowshare broke. 

And for the yeHow corn condemned the oak. 

How shall he act ? — the fickle people raise, 
Whom with dark hate the aged tyrant sways ? 120 



Et dabat hesterno liventia meila veneno. 
Mox taciti patuere doli, nee vellera curse 
Esse viro; sed sese odiis immania cogi 

65 In fret a : qua jussos sic -tandem quaerere Colchos 
Arte queat. Nunc aerii plantaria vellet 
Perseos, aut currum, ut ssevos frenasse dracones, 
Creditus, ignaras Cereris qui vomere terras 
lmbuit, et flava quercum damnavit arista. 

$0 Keu quid agat ? populumne levem, veterique tyranno 



THE ARGONAUTICA 9 

Gall on the senate mov'd by iEsoN's wrongs ? 

Or join'd and aided, 'mid heroic throngs. 

By Juno, and the armour-clashing Maid, 

Surmount the ocean, and the king upbraid ? 

And shall no fame from such a labour springs 125 

Rising from conquer'd waves with freshened wing ? 

Glory, the mental flame is wholly thine ! 

In brilliant bloom unconscious of decline* 

On Phasis banks the hero sees thee stand., 

To warriors waving thy inviting hand ! 130 

His wandering mind, and agitated breast, 

Now in devotion's ardent dictates rest : 

He prays : towards heaven his pious hands extend : 

" Almighty Queen ! when Jove appear'd to rend, 

rr With turbid tempests, the cerulean air^ 135 

" Thou wast amid his torrent-wrath my care : 



Infensum, atque olim miserantes iEsoNA patres 
Advocet ? an socia Junone et Pallade fretus 
Armisona, superet magis, et freta jussa capessat ? 

75 Si qua opens tanti doaiito consurgere ponto 

Fain a queat. Tu sola animos mentemque perurisj 
Gloria : te viridem videt immunemque senectse 
Phasidis in ripa stantem, juvenesque vocantem* 
Tandem animi incertum confusaque pectora tirmat 

80 Religio : tendensque pias ad sidera palmas, 

Omnipotens Regina, inquit, quam turbidus atro 
iEthera ceeruleum quateret cum Juppiter imbre* 
2M 



10 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

" Thee o'er the swoln Enipean flood I bore, 

" And plac'd in safety on the verdant shore : 

ec Nor I my charge a deity believ'd, 

cc 'Till sudden terrors through thy bosom heav'd, 140 

" That spoke thee summon'd by thy Consort-God, 

" In peals of ire, and dread-compelling nod ! 

fC O grant me Scythia's coast, and Phasis wave ! 

cc And thou my fame, O Pallas ! Virgin ! save ! 

cc Then to your temples I devote the Fleece : 145 

" My grateful father shall your rites increase : 

" Round flaming altars urge the snowy fold, 

f<? And herds with beamy horns enriched with gold." 

The Goddesses accept his vows, and fly, 

With swift descent, diversely, from the sky. 150 

And soon the diligent Tritonta calls 

Her favour 'd. Argus from the Thespian walls. 



Ipse ego prsecipiti tumidum per Enipea nimbo 
In campos et tuta tuli : nee credere quivi 

85 Ante deam, quam te tonitru nutuque reposci 
Conjugis, et subita raptam formidine vidi : 
DaScYTHiAM Phasinque mihi : tuque innuba Pallas, 
Eripe me : Vestris egomet tunc vellera templis 
Ilia dabo : dabit auratis et cornibus igni 

90 .Colla pater, niveique greges altaria cingent. 
Accepere deae., celerique per sethera lapsu 
Diversas petiere vias. In moenia pernix 
Thespiaca ad carum Tritonia devoid * r 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 11 

Him in all arts, by her instructions, skill'd, 

A lofty vessel she commands to build : 

Hew the huge oaks of Pelion's awful shade, 155 

She his companion in the sacred glade. 

Juno, meantime, thro 5 each Argolian town, 

Spread wide the exciting ardour of renown: 

That iEsost's son to tempt the rapid wind> 

A deed their fathers ne'er essay 'd, desigu'd : 160 

That even now a floating bark demands, 

Proud on her sounding oars, the warlike bands, 

With whom she may retrace her watry ways, 

And bear thro' ages to immortal praise. 

All hear desirous : crowds well known to fame, 165 

Warriors and chiefs, with anxious ardour, came : 

And blooming youth, as yet from toil exempt, 

The promissory sounds of glory tempt. 



Molliri hunc puppim jubet, et demittere ferro 
95 Robora : Peliacas et jam comes exit in umbras. 

At Juno Argolicas pariter Macetumque per urbes 
Spargit, iaexpertos tentare parentibus austros 
iEsoNiDEN : jam stare ratem ; remisque superbam 
Poscere quos revehat, rebusque in secula tollat. 
100 Omnis avet, quae jam bellis spectataque fama 

Turba ducum, primse seu quos in flore juventse 
Tentameuta tenent, necdum data copia rerum, 



12 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

These the light Faunx, who their cares bestow- 
On verdant meadows, and the guiltless plough, 17Q 
With forest Nymphs and horn-elated Streams, 
Confessed to view amid the noon-day beams, 
Along each path, and from each flowery dell, 
Incite with songs, and of the vessel tell. 

Straightway Tirynthius from the Inachian town 
With speed spontaneous seeks for new renown : 176 

Whose darts, envenomed with the Arcadian gore, 
The youthful Hylas on his shoulders bore ; 
Not yet his hands, tho' oft he tried, suffice 
To grasp the massive club's enormous size, ]80 

Delighted, all his strength put forth, to glow 
With the light arrows, and the flexile bow. 
Saturnia these with angry sight pursues, 
And thus her long-accustomed plaint renews. 



At quibus arvorum studiumque insontis aratri, 
Hos stimulant, magnaque ratem per lustra viasque 

105 Visi lande catmint manifesto in lumine Fauni, 

Silvarumque Deje atque elatis cornibus Amnes. 
Protinus Inachhs ultro Tirynthius Argis 
Advolat: Arcadio cujus flammata veneno 
Tela puer, facilesque humeris gaudentibus arcus 

100 Gestat Hylas : velit ille quidem ; sed dextera nondum 
Par oneri, clavaeque capax. Quos talibus amens 
Insequitur, solitosque novat Saturnia questus. 



THE ARGGNAUTICA. }3 

<c O that not here all Gr^ecia's youthful pride, 185 

■' In fates unproved rushed eager to confide ! 

" Were this a task by our Eurystiieus given,— 

f< Then I— e'en I,— would veil the darkened heaven,— 

"" Roll the black storm,— the o'erwhelming trident move, 

" And hurl the lightning of forbidding Jove ! 190 

" Him yonder, — him our vessel shall not bear, 

ft To arrogate our toils, our glories share : 

" 'Tis ne'er for me Herculean aid to claim, 

(C Nor owe so much to one o'erbearing name !" 

She spake : — then towards the H^emonian waves she turns- 

The fervid, busy concourse there discerns ; 196 

Sees fallen forests quit their native ground, 

Hears to the skilful axe the shores resound : 

Argus with sharp-tooth'd saws the pines divides, 

Closes the planks, and swells the bellying sides : 200 



O utinam GraJjE rueret non omne juventae 

In nova fata decus : nostrique Eurystheos haec nunc 

115 Jussa forent ! imbrem, et tenebras, ssevumque tridentem 
Jam jam ego, et inviti torsissem eonjugis ignem ! 
Hunc quoque nee socium nostra? columenve carina? 
Esse velim ; Herculeis nee me umquam fidere fas sit 
Auxiliis, comiti et tantum debere superbo. 

120 Dixit ; et H^monias oculos detorquet ad undas 
Fervere cuncta virum coetu, simul undique cernit 
Delatum nemus, et docta resonare bipenni 
Litora: jam pinus gracili dissolvere lamna 
Thespiaden ; jungique latus, lentoque sequaces 



14 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

And beams, of strength enormous, she observes 

Bend to the gentle heat in slackening curves. 

The oars all ready; Pallas to the mast 

Hoist the broad yards, and lash the canvas fast. 

When now a glorious pile the vessel stood ; 205 

Complete, impervious to the urging flood, 

In every seam when molten pitch had flowed, 

Pallas the pencil's beauteous forms bestowed. 

Here, the supporting fins beneath her spread^ 
Unwilling Thetis moves to Peleus' bed ; 210 

O'er murmuring waves the dolphin seems to rise, 
While a deep veil conceals her downcast eyes. 
(/Twas not Achilles she had hoped might prove 
Her offspring, greater than almighty Jove.) 
Her follow Panope, and Doto fair, 215 

And Galatea, who, her shoulders bure 



125 , Molliri videt igne trabes ; remisque paratis 
Pallada velifero quserentem brachia raalo. 
Constitit ut, longo moles non pervia ponto, 
Puppis, et ut tenues subiere lateu-tia cerae 
Lumina, picturae varies superaddit honores. 

130 Hie insperatos Tyrrheni tergore piscis 

Peleos in thalamus vehitur Thetis : aequora delphin 
Corripit : ilia sede dejecta in lumina palla; 
Nee Jove majorem nasci siispirat Achillem 
Hanc Panope, Dotoque soror, lsetataque fluctu 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 15 

Raises delighted o'er the sparkling waves ; 

And as she wantons towards the nuptial caves, 

The amorous Cyclops, from Sicilians shore, 

Recall her still with unavailing roar. 220 

There glowed the flame, the couch of boughs was strewn ;• 

There dishes, wine, and ocean-gods were shewn ; 

Peleus and Thetis take 'mid these their seats, 

And Chiron, drunk, his shell melodious beats, 

Mount Pholoe another part displayed, 225 

And the rash contest for the Atracian maid : 

Here Rhostus stood, inflamed with maddening wine, 

And altars here, and instruments divine, 

Bowls, tables, vases, works of ancient skill, 

Fly diverse, and the air with tumult fill. 230 

Peleus distinguished by his towering spear, 

And iEsoN, by his furious sword, are here : 



135 Prosequitur nudis pariter Galatea lacertis, 

Antra petens; Siculo revocat c!e litore Cyclops. 
Contra ignis, viridique torus d'e fronde, dapesque, 
Vinaque, et gequoreos inter cum cpnjuge divos 
JEacides : pulsatque chelyn post pocula Chiron. 

140 Parte alia Pholoe, multoque insanus Iaccho 
Rh(ETUs, et Atracia subitee de virgine pugnae : 
Crateres mensaeque volant, arseque deorum, 
Pocvdaque, insignis veterum labor : optimus hast4 
Hie Peleus, hie ense furens agnoscitur jEson, 



16 THE FIRST BOOK OP 

Here Monychus victorious Nestor strides, 

Urging the tardy Centaur's loathing sides : 

Beneath the flaming brand of ClAnis lies 235 

Expiring Actor : —black-limbed Nessus flies : 

Here Hippasus, along the carpet roll'd, 

His lifeless head concealed in hollow gold. 

These which each eye with admiration caught, 
The son of tEson viewed with troubled thought. 240 

Alas/' within himself he said, " what woe 
ic Our parents, and our children, hence shall know ! 
cc While, careless of our lives, we here embark, 
" Blinded by clouds, or guided by a spark ! 
ic Shall threatening waves 'gainst ./Eson only roar ? 245 
' e Nor young Acastus leave his native shore ? 
" Him from his father's anxious arms I'll force 
c To share the toils of all our dangerous course : 



145 Ferl gravis invito victorem Nestor A tergo 

Monychus : ardenti peragit Clanis Actora quercu 
Nigro Nessus equo fugit : adclinisque tapeti 
In mediis vacuo condit caput Hippasus auro. 
Hjec quamquam miranda viris supet iEsoNE natus; 

150 Et secuin : Heu miseros nostrum natosque patresque 
Haccine nos anhnae faciles rate nubila contra 
Mittimur ? in solum nunc sssviet iEsoNA pontus ? 
Non juvenem in casus eademque pericula Acastum 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 17 

ix Then for our hated bark shall Pelt as care, 

" And placid billows be his constant prayer ; 250 

" Shall, with our mothers fear,— with them, shall weep, 

" And imprecate, with them, the stormy deep." 

This he revolving* on the left espies 

Jove's thunders-bearer rushing from the skies : 

A lamb his talons seized, with powerful hold, 255 

And bore it struggling o'er the bleating fold : — 

Far from the pens, along the distant mead, 

The clamorous swains and yelling mastifs speed ; 

Till upward, swift, the plunderer darts again, 

And towers aloft across the tEg^an main. 260 

iEsoNiDEs the happy sign discerns ; 

And towards the gates of haughty Pelias turns. 

First to his arms the monarch's offspring prest, 

And joined, in glad embrace, his kindred breast. 



Abripiam ? invisse Pelias freta tuta carinae 
155 Optet, et exoret nostris cum matribus undas* 
Talia contanti lsevum Jovis armiger sethra 
Advenit : et validis fixam erigit uuguibus agnam. 
At procul e stabulis trepidi clamore sequuntur 
Pastores, fremitusque canum : citus occupat auras 
160 Raptor; et Mgjei super effugit alta profundi. 
Accipit auguriurn tEsonides, lsetusque superbi 
Tecta petit Peli^e : prior huic turn regia proles 
Advolat; amplesus fraternaque pectora jungens. 
2N 



18 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

cc Think not" the leader cried, " base tears I ask : %6j 

ec Thee I demand as partner in our task ; 

" Thee, my Acastus, all our deeds to share : 

tc For who more worthy Helle's fleece to bear ? 

cc Not Canthus, Telamon, nor Idas seems, 

" Nor each Tyndarian boy my heart esteems. 270 

cc What tracks of earth, what wide expanse of heaven, 

cc Shall to our bold enquiring eyes be given ! 

" What oceans shall we open to mankind ! 

" This now perhaps dismays thy timid mind : 

iC But when our bark, returning with renown,, 275 

" Restores me to my loved Iolchian town, 

cc How wilt thou blush and curse thy dastard fate, 

cc While fame our glorious deeds shall celebrate ; 

cc How shall I tell, impeded by thy sighs, 

cc What various nations met our wondering eyes ?" 280 



Ductor ait ; Non degeneres, ut reris Acaste, 
165 Venimus ad qusestus : socium te jungere cceptis 

Est animus: neque enim Telamon, aut Canthus, et Idas 

Tyndariusque puer mihi vellere dignior Helles. 

O quantum terrae, quantum cogncscere cceli 

Permissum est ! pelagus quantos aperimus in usus ! 
170 Nunc forsan grave reris opus : sed Iseta recurret 

Cum ratis, et caram cum jam mihi reddet Iolcon ; 

Quis pudor heu nostros tibi tunc audire labores 1 

Quam referam visas tua per suspiria gentes ! 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 19 

The prince no more could bear : ec Enough/' he cried. 

" To him prepared in all things to confide 

** In thee, O best of friends ! — think not I'll stay, 

fC Slow, when thou call'st, and lead'st the glorious way, 

ic Think not that by the sceptre of my sire, 285 

" More than by thee, my highest hopes aspire, 

" If I with thee may pluck an honoured name, 

" And graft it blooming on thy kindred fame ! 

" Yet let me, lest a parent's fears impede 

" My bold design, with secrecy proceed : 290 

" What time the ship prepares to leave the strand, 

" I'll join, with joyful speed, thy mighty band." 

Jason, well-pleased, these promises attends, 

Then towards the shore his hasty footsteps bends. 

Swift at his voice the Miny^e, fervent, throng, 
And with firm shoulders bear the bark along ; 296 



Nee passus rex plura virum. Sat multa parato 
175 In quaecumque vocas ; nee nos, ait, optime, segnes 
Credidei-is ; patriisve magis confidere regnis, 
Quam tibi ; si primos, duce te, virtutis honores 
Carpere, fraternse si des adcresere famae. 
Quin ego, ne qua metu niniio me cura parentis 
]80 Impediat, fallam ignarum ; subitusque paratis 

Tunc adero, prinias linquet cum puppis harenas. 
Dixerat : Ille animos promissaque talia lsetus 
Accipit ; et gressus avidos ad litora vcrtit. 
At ducis imperiis MiNYiE monituque frequentes 



20 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Crouching they hurry, — strained their burdened knees, 

They rush together 'mid the curving seas ; 

While breathless shouts with nautic tumult swell. 

And Orpheus strikes the loud resounding shell, 300 

Altars were then with zealous ardour placed : 

Thine, Neptune, thine the highest honours graced. 

Ancjsus slays (whose axe unerring smites 

The full fed victims in the solemn rites) 

A bull in sea-green fillets bound, whose gore 305 

To thee and Glaucus pours along the shore : 

With thee on every favouring breeze he calls ; 

To Thetis next a gentle heifer falls. 

Thrice iEsoN's son the rich libation pours, 

Then thus the Father of the waves adores. 310 

" Thou, by whose nod the foaming realms are rolPd, 

sc Whose powers saline each sounding shore enfold, 



185 Puppim humeris subeunt : et tento poplite proni 

Decurrunt, intrantque fretum : non clamor anhelis 
Nauticus, aut blandus testudine defuit Orpheus. 
Turn lseti statu u rit aras. Tibi, rector aquarum, 
Summus honor : tibi cseruleis in litore vittis 

190 Et Zephyris Glaucoque bovem, Thetidique juyencam 
Dejicit Anc^eus ; non illo certior alter 
Pinguia letifera perfringere colla bipenni. 
Ipse ter asquoreo libaus carchesia patri 
Sic ait iEsoNiDES : O qui spumantia nutu 

195 Regna quatis, terrasque salo compleeteris omnes. 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 2\ 

■ c Pardon ! tho' I, whom conscience yet informs,, 

ff Tempt interdicted paths, incurring storms, 

ec Impelled I go, nor does my soul aspire 315 

" Mountains to heap, or seize the Olympic fire. 

ft O hear not Pelias ' — he whose tyrant-fears 

" Ordained me, Colchos, and my parents' tears. 

cc But him may I !— enough ! — I now implore 

" That not with Ocean's fierce indignant roar, 820 

■ c That not reluctant, thou receive, from land, 

" Myself, my vessel, and this princely hand." 

He spake, and straight the rich libation shed 

Amid the flames ; the flames, protending, spread ; 

Quick o'er the entangled bowels, flickering, dart, 325 

And rise in flashes o'er the bubbling heart. 

Then lo ! by all the inspiring god possessed, 

Dreadful in mein, disordered, pale, oppressed,--- 



Da veniam. Scio me cunctis e gentibus unum 
Inlicitas tentare vias, hiememque inereri : 
Sed non sponte feror: nee nunc mihi jungere monies 
Mens tumet, aut surarao deposcere fulmen Olympo 

200 Ne PelIjE te vota trahant; i!le aspera jussa 

Reperit, et Colchos in me luctumque meorum. 
Ilium ego !r— tu tantum non indignantibus undis 
Hoc caput accipias, et pressam regibus alnum. 
Sic fatus, pmgui cumulat libamine flammam, 

205 Protulit ut crinem densis luctatus in extis 
Isrnis; et adscendit salientia viscera tauri : 



22 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

The holy Mopsus rushes towards the beach, — 
Erect his hair, — his lips deprived of speech : — 330 

His laurelled fillets rent as round he whirls, 
In frantic starts, his consecrated curls. 
At length his voice returns, — a voice of fear, 
In silence heard, — dismaying- those who hear. 
" What scenes burst on my sight !— round Neptune wait 
{< The summoned Godheads of the Ocean-state! 336 
. " Conscious of us, he calls them to maintain, 
<f With all their storms, the mandates of the main! 
ei Again O Juno ! yet again entwine 
" Thy brother's breast, and press his lips to thine ! 340 
f<r Desist not Pallas, nor thy bark forget ; 
" Calm his fierce brow, subdue each rising threat! 
ce They yield,— they yield ! — their arms protecting heave 
Ci Around our bark, and 'mid their waves receive. 



Ecce sacer, totusque Dei, per litora Mopsus 
Inmanis visu, vittamque comamque per auras 
Surgentem laurusque rotat : vox reddita tandem. 

210 Vox horrenda viris : turn facta silentia vati : 

Heu qusenam adspicio ! npstris riiodo conscius ausis 
iEquoreos vocat ecce deos Neptunus, et ingens 
Consilium: fremere, et legem defendere ciiheti 
Hortantur. Sic amplexu, &ic pectora fratris, 

215 Juno, tene ! — tuque O puppim ne desere, Pallas ! 

Nunc, patrui nunc flecte minas ! — Cessere, — rate m que 
Accipere mari !— Per quot discrimina reruia 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 23 

" What perils, all confused, my mind invade ! 345 

C( Why with green reeds doth beauteous Hylas braid 
" His streaming hair ?— an urn he seems to hold ! — 
" Cerulean vests his snowy limbs enfold ! 
" Whence Pollux, whence thy wounds ?— what flakes 

of fire 
" The tumid nostrils of yon bulls respire ! 350 

lc O'er every furrow, helmets,— spears are seen; — 
" Armed shoulders burst the glebe with threatening mein ! 
" Around the Fleece what martial tumult springs ! 
c< What woman cleaves the air on dragon wings 
" Dropping with slaughter ? ah ! whom smites she, 

wild ? 355 

" Tear from her grasp each agonizing child ! 
" Wretched .ZEsonides, thy babes expire ! 
" I see, — I see — thy nuptial couch on fire ! '* 



Expedior ! — subita cur pulcher harundine crines 
Velat Hylas ? unde urna humeris, niveosque per artus 

220 Cserulese vestes ? unde haec tibi vulnera, Pollux? 
Quantus 16 tumidis tanrorum c naribus ignis ! 
Tollunt se galeae, sulcisque ex omnibus hastae, 
Et jam jamque humeri : — quern circum vellera Martem 
Adspicio ? quaenam aligeris secat anguibus auras . 

225 Casde madens ? quos ense ferit ? miser eripe parvos 
jEsonide : cerno en thalamos ardere jugales. 



£4 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

While scenes like these the prophet's words disclose, 
All fearful shudder at their future woes. 360 

But when the strain Phceeeian Idmon raised,, 
No pallid pbrenzy moved the men amazed : 
Not terrible, with horrid hair elate. 
Of tranquil Phcebus full, and gentler fate. 
(Him had his sire, with awful influence given 365 

To read the admonitory signs of heaven : 
Whate'er the flames, or entrails dark declare, 
Or varying wings that crowd the yielding air.) 
To Mopsus and his friends he thus exclaims ; 
" From augur Phcebus ! from the kindling flames, 370 
cc A course replete with arduous toils I view, 
,f Yet shall the patient bark those toils subdue* 
" Sustain, ye mighty souls, your great design ! 
" In soft adieus now let your arms entwine 



Jam dudum vates Minyas ambage ducemque 
Terrificat : sed enim contra Phiebeius Idmon, 
Noa pallove viris, non ullo horrore comaium 

230 Tenibilis, plenus fatis Piiceboque quieto : 

(Cui gehitor tribuit monitu prsenoscere divum 
Omina, seu flammas, seu lubrica comminus extra, 
Seu plenum certis interroget aera pennis) 
Sic sociis Mopsoque canit : Quantum augur Apollo, 

^235 Flammaque prima docet ; prseduri plena laboris 

Cerno equidem ; patiens sed qua? ratis omnia vincat*. 
Ingentes durate animEe. dulcesque parentum 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 25 



! 



iX Your parent's bosoms — " As he sang the tears "} 375 

Fell from his ejes ; the flame malignant rears, 

And Argos closed to his return appears. 

He spake ; then thus the iEsoNiAN leader cries, 

tc Ye hear 3 my friends, the counsels of the skies : 

f< What fates are fixed, what mighty hopes impressed ! 

cc Let, then, paternal courage fire each breast ! 381 

S( No more the tyrant's piety be blamed, 

" His hatred thought of, or his treadhery named : 

ie A God, a God, enjoins the watry ways, 

(t And happy omens awfully displays : 385 

" O'er his wide world new intercourse to trace, 

<e To blend the toils of all the human race, 

<c Great Jove himself commands !—0, then, with me 

" Vanquish, ye brave, the terrors of the sea ! 



Tendite ad amplexus. Lacrimse cecidere canenti, 
Quod sibijam clusos invenit in ignibus Argos. 

240 Vix ea fatus erat ; jungit cum talia ductor 

iEsoNius : Superum quando consulta videtis, 
O socii, quandoque datur spes maxima cceptis; 
Vos quoque nunc vires animosque adferte paternos : 
Non mihi Thessalici pietas culpanda tyranni, 

245 Suspective doli : deus hsec, deus omine dextro 
Imperat. Ipse suo voluit commercia mundo 
Juppiter et tantos hominum miscere labores. 
Ite, viri, mecum : dubiisque evincite rebus, 
20 



26 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

cc Sweet to our souls shall memory arise, 390 

<c And our sons' sons admire our enter prize ! 

Cl But now on shore, my friends, this night employ 

cc In tender converse, and in festive joy." 

Soon he's obeyed : on the sea-weeds are strewn 

The youth ; Alcides by his sinews known. 395 

From burning spits the juicy meats are torn, 

And bread is served in high-piled baskets borne. 

Then gallop'fl Chiron from the mountain's brow, 
With young Achilles to the plains below; 
Who calls his sire, with shouts, and infant cries : 400 

At the known voice he sees his father rise, 
With arms extended : quickly then he springs, 
And long and fondly to his bosom clings. 
Bowls of bright wine he cares not to behold, 
Nor glittering standards wrought with polished gold, 405 



Quae meminisse juvet, nostrisque nepotibus instent. 

250 Hanc vero, O socii, venientem in litore iseti 
Dulcibus adloquiis ludbque educite noctem. 
Paretur. Molli juvenes funduntur in alga, 
Conspicuusque toris Tirynthius. Exta ministri 
Rapta simul veribus, Cereremque dedere canistris. 

£55 Jamque aderat summo decurrens vertice Chiron, 
Clamentemque patri procul ostentabat Achillbm, 
Ut puer ad notas erectum Pelea voces 
Vidit, et ingenti tendentem brachia passu, 
Adsiluit, caraque diu cervice pependit. 

260 Ilium nee valido spurn antia pocula Baccho 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 27 

But fixes on the chiefs his wondering* gaze. 

Imbibes their ardent words with bold amaze ; 

Fearless the Herculean spoils his hands sustain^ 

Proudly he grasps the lion's mighty mane. 

Peleus, transported^ snatched him to his breast, 410 

And rapid kisses on his cheeks impressed : 

Then., on the heavens his ardent eyes intent, 

(C If Peleus' vows ye'd hear, imploring, spent 

" For wafting breezes o'er the peaceful main, 

" This boy, ye gods, this life beloved sustain ! 415 

" From thee, O Chiron, I the rest require ,* 

( c The clarion's clangor, and the battles ire, 

" Oft let him, listening, from thy lips admire ! 

<c Now taught by thee the hunting dart to rear, 

'* Soon may he poize the lofty Pelian spear." 420 



Sollicitant: veteri nee conspicienda metallo 
Signa tenent : stupet in ducibus : magnumque sonantes 
Haurit, et Herculeo fert comminus ora leoni. 
Lsetus at implicit! Peleus rapit oscula nati, 

265 Suspiciensqire polum ; Placito si currere fluctu 
Pelea vultis, ait, ventosque optare ferentes ; 
Hoe, superi, servate caput. Tu cetera, Chiron, 
Da mihi : te parvus lituos et bella loquentem 
Miretur: sub te puerilia tela magistro 

270 Venator ferat, et nostram festinet ad hastam. 



! 



28 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Hence with fresh fervour glow the heroic brave, 
Each bosom burns to pass the pathless wave. 
The Fleece of Phrixus promised to their vow, 
Refulgent on the Argo's homeward prow. 

Now 'mid their jovial rites the solar ray 425 

Declines apace : dark waves absorb the day : 
Bright scattered lights glance round the curving strand, 
Yet to no seamen indicate the land. 
Meantime, while night's soft shades attentive hung, 
The Thracian smote his dulcet shell, and sung; 430 
fe How Phrixus stood, a destined victim, bound; 
ee His pallid brows with hallowed chaplets crowned : 
cc How, while deep clouds the impious rites o'erspread, 
" (With Athamas Learchus left) he fled. 
" How, on the golden wool the youth was borne 435 
ec O'er pitying waves, while Helle pressed each horn. 



Omnibus inde magis calor additus : ire per altuin 
Magna mente volunt. Phrixi promittitur absens 
Vellus, et auratis Argo reditura corymbis. 
Sol ruit, et totum Minyis lsetantibus undse 

275 Deduxere diem : sparguntur litore curvo 

Lumina, nondum ullis terras monstrantia nautis. 
Thracius hie noctem dulci testudine vates 
Extrahit ; ut steterit redimitus tempora vittis 
Phrixus; et injustas contectus nubibus aras 

280 Fugerit, Inoo linquens Athamanta Learcho ; 
Aureus ut juvenem miserantibus intulit undis 
Vector, et adstrictis ut sedit cornibus Helle, 



THE ARGONAUT.ICA. 29 

" Seven times Aurora oped the gates of light, 

" As oft the moon dispelled the gloom of night ; 

(f Sestos from twin'd Abydos seemed to glide, 

" Behind the waves, retreating o'er the tide, 440 

" When Helle fell ; there ever to remain, 

" Saved from her step-dame's rage, alas, in vain ! 

" With straining hands she strives awhile to hold 

iC The humid tresses of the buoyant gold ; 

ce On her wet vest the whelming waters pour : 445 

" Her weak hands drop, swift sliding from the ore. 

e c O Phrixus, what the horrors of thy grief ! 

ec When, as her pallid looks besought relief, 

: - Thou, by a rapid swell of surges raised, 

cc Heard'st her last shriek, while, pale, on thee she gazed : 

rc Saw'st the last struggles of each trembling hand ; 451 

c< Saw'st on the waves her lingering hair expand/'' 



Septem Aurora vias, totidemque peregerat umbras 
Luna polo : dirimique procul non a?quore visa 

285 Cceperat a gemina discedere Sestos Abydo. 

Hie soror iEoLiDEN, sevura raansura per omne, 
Deserit : heu saeyae nequicquam erepta novercse ! 
Ilia quulevn fessis longe petit humida palmis 
Vellera, sed bibulas urguenti pondere vestes 

290 Unda trahit, levique manus labuniur ab auro. 

Quis tibi, Phrixe, dolor, rapido cum coneitus sestu 
Respieeres miserse clamantia virginis ora, 
Extreniasque manus, sparsosque per asquora crines ? 



SO THE FIRST BOOK OF 

At length the music ceased,— the mirth, — the wine ; 
On quiet beds, in silence, they recline ; 
While pensive cares their anxious leader keep 455 

Watchful, impatient of the bonds of sleep. 
Him aged iEsoN to his bosom prest, 
Alcimede too, negligent of rest, 
Infolds him with a mother's fond embrace, 
Their streaming eyes fixed fondly on his face, 460 

Jason, with tender accents, soothes their fears, 
Suggests bright hopes, and wipes away their tears. 
At length his eyes sunk, vanquished in repose, 
When lo ! with visionary beams, arose, 
The vessel's guardian form, with chaplets crowned ; 465 
And thro' his slumber breathed this solemn sound. 
" Dodona's oak thy eyes, now favoured, prove* 
The sacred handmaid of Chaonian Jove ! 



Jamque mero ludoque modus ; positique quietis 
QQ5 Conticuere toris: solus quibus ordine fusis 

Impatiens somni ductor manet. Hunc gravis iEsoN, 
Et pariter vigil Alcimede spectantque tenentque 
Pleni oculos: illis placidi seraionis I as on 
Suggent adfatus, turbataque pectora mulcet. 
300 Mox, ubi victa gravi ceciderunt lumina somp.o, 
Visa coronatse fulgens tutela carinee 
Vocibus his instare duci : Dodonida quercum, 
Chaoniique vides faaiulam Jovis. iEquora tecum 



THE ARGONAUTICA. SI 

ec With thee the realms of ocean I invade : 

" But never from that wood's prophetic shade 470 

(C Had Juno torn me without heaven's decree, 

" That we should safely stem the surging sea ! 

" Time calls thee forth !— arouse ! — no more delay ! 

<c Together let us sweep the billowy way ! 

(C There should dark tempests veil the uncertain sky, 475 

' c Dismiss all fears; on me and heaven rely !" 

Such hope the omen of the gods imparts; 

Yet from his couch, with awful fear, he starts. 

Now blithe Tithonia, with refreshened beams, 
SufFusive, tinted ocean's curving streams : 480 

The Miny,e 'woke : with speed on board they past ; 
Some lower the yard-arms from the lofty mast ; 
Some dip their oars, and try the rower's toils : 
Argus the cable round the capstan coils. 



Ingredior: nee fatidicis avellere silvis 

305 Me nisi promisso potuit Saturnia ccelo. 

Tempus adest ! age ! rumpe moras ! durnque sequora toto 
Currrmus, incertus si nubila duxerit aether ; 
Jam nunc mitte metus, fidens superisque mihique. 
Dixerat : ilie pavens, laato quamquam omine divum, 

310 Prosiluit stratis. Minyas simul obtulit omnes 
Alma novo crispans pelagus Tithonia Ph<ebo, 
Discurrunt transtris. Hi celso cornua malo 
Expediunt : alii tonsas in marmore siimmo 
Prtetentant : prora funem legit Argus ab alt&, 



32 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Then groans burst louder from eacli mother's breast: — 

Then sunk each father's heart, subdued, distressed : 485 

Tears, ceaseless, 'mid their long embraces flow ; 

While, o'er the tumult of outrageous woe,, 

The voice of pale Alcimede, aloud, 

Whelms the deep waitings of the female crowd> 490 

As when the clarion's Martial clangor swells,, 

And the soft flute's Idjsan descant quells, 

" Offspring beloved ! asunder we are rent ! 

ie To shameful perils, thou, my son, art sent ! 

<c Not such misfortunes" she exclaimed " I taught 495 

" My shuddering soul to meet, with patient thought! 

" Earth and its wars were yet my only cares, 

cc Now other gods must hear a mother's prayers. 

fe If fate restore thee to these arms again; — 

" If anxious mothers may appease the main ; — 500 



315 Increscunt matrum gemitus, et fortia languent 

Corda patrum : longis flentes amplexibus haerent. 
Vox taraen Alcsmedes planctus super eminet omnes 
Femineis tantum ilia furens ululatibus obstat ; 
Obruat Id.'EAM quantum tuba Martia buxum. 

320 Fatur et htec: INate, indiguos adit u re labores 

Dividimur: nee ad hos animum componere casus 
Ante datum ; sed bella tibi terrasque timebam. 
Vota aliis facienda deis. Si fata redueunt 
Te mihi, si trepidis placabile matribus sequor ; 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 33 

cc Still will I bear the lingering light of day, 

" Fear's lengthening horrors, Hope's renewed delay:— 

" If other fates, Death hasten with relief, 

" While fear is all a parent knows of grief. 

*' Ah ! woe is me ! when thought I to deplore 505 

" The Fleece of Phrixus, or the Colchian shore? 

" What days of anxious anguish I forsee, — 

" What nights of watchful terror full of thee ! 

" On the bleak shore when waves resounding rise, 

ce Remembering Scythian seas, and Scythian skies, 510 

" Oft shall I swoon !— nor think less danger thine, 

cc Ungrateful, when these skies serenely shine. 

" Embrace me : — leave thy accents on my ear : — 

** Close, close these eyes while thy loved hand is here ! " 

Alcimede thus mourned : but iEsoN rose, 515 

With firmer soul, and words above his woes. 



325 Possum equidem lucemque pati, longumque timorem. 
Sin aliud Fortuna parat; miserere parentum, 
Mors bona, dum metus est, nee adhuc dolor. Hei mihi ! 

COLCHOS 

Unde ego, et aveeti timuissem vellera Phrixi ? 

Quos jam mente dies, quam saeva insomnia curis 
330 Prospicio ! quoties raucos ad litoris ictus 

Deficiam, Scythicum metuens pontumque polumque ; 

Nee de te credam nostris ingrata serenis ! 

Da, precor, am plexus, hsesuraque verba relinque 

Auribus, et dulei jam nunc preme lumina dextra. 
335 Talibus Alcimede mceret: sed fortior iEsou 
2 P 



84 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

" If my pale veins throbbed now with equal bloody 

" As when the Centaur Pholus threatening stood, 

<c Poising the ponderous bowl, ( nor less the weight 

" Of massive metal, pregnant with his fate, 520 

i: Incensed I hurled), then with delighted haste, 

" (My armour on thy splendid steerage placed) 

cc I'd seize the oar, in ardent efforts strong, 

cc Sweep the rough surge, and urge thy bark along. 

^ Yet, yet a father's prayers are heard by heaven ! 525 

cc A parent's vows prevail !— to me is given 

" Heroes and princes on these waves to view, 

ic Who thee, my Son, their honoured chief, pursue ! 

" Such was I wont in many a mighty deed, 

" Fearless, to follow, or impetuous, lead. 530 

e: Now 'till that day, 'till that I ask to live 

f< (Jove, I implore, this last request to give) 



Attollens dictis animos: O si mihi sanguis, 
Quantus erat, cum signifero cratere minantem 
Non leviore Piiolum manus hsec conpsscuit auro ! 
Primus in eeratis possuissem puppibus arma, 
340 Concussoque ratem gaudererii tolleve remo. 
Sed patriae valuere preces, auditaque magnis 
Vota deis : video en nostro tot in aequore reges, 
Teque ducem : tales, taies ego ducere suetus, 
Atque sequi : nunc ilie dies, (det Juppiter oro) 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 35 

ec When thee from Scythia's king and Scythia's main 

" Returning conqueror these fond arms retain, 

ec While with the beamy Fleece thy shoulders shine, 

l< And all my actions yield, my Son, to thine ! " — 536 

He ended thus : and while the hero pressed 

His fainting mother to his manly breast, 

His neck received his aged sire's embrace, 

Wet with the sorrow of his hidden face. 540 

But ah ! no more : — the third sad trumpet's sound 

The ship and winds from fond delays unbound. 

And now the oars, and loaded benches claim, 
As order wills, each several hero's name. 
Here Telamon the larboard sea impelled ; 545 

The starboard waves 'gainst great Alcides swelled. 
Hence in two ranks the heroic band divides : 
First, fleet Aster ion ; where Enipeus glides 



345 Ille super, quo te Scythici regisque marisque 
Victorem, atque humeros ardentera vellere rapto 
Accipiam, cedantque tuse mea facta juventte. 
Sic ait. Ille suo conlabsam pectore matrem 
Sustinuit, magnaque seeem cervice recepit. 

350 Et jam finis erat: Zephyrumque ratemque morantts 
Solverat amplexus tristi tuba tertia signo. 
Dant retno sua quisque viri, dant nomina transtris. 
Hinc lsevum Telamon pelagus tenet: altior inde 
Occupat Alcides aliud mare : cetera pubes 

355 Dividitur: celer Asterion, quern matre cadentem 



36 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

And feels the flood of Apidanus pour 

In rapid surges through his sedgy shore. 550 

Crested Cometes fearlessly would lave, 

The new born infant in the blended wave. 

'Gainst hint strives Talaus : and his brother's back 

(His oar quick sweeping o'er the rapid track) 

Laodocus oft smites with eager hands ; 555 

Both were the birth of proud Argolic lands. 

Thence Idmon came, tho' through the troubled sky 

Forbidding pinions hovering round him fly : 

'Tis base in man, whatever woes await, 

Fearful to shudder at the award of fate. 560 

Next Iphitus, Naubolus' offspring, vies, 

Rising himself as the froth 'd waves arise. 

Euphemus, son of Neptune, not in vain 

Breaks the swollen billows of his father's reign: 



Cristatus gemino fovit pater amne Cometes, 
Segnior Apidani vires ubi sentit Enipeus : 
Nititur hinc Talaus, fratrisque Laodocus urguet 
Rerno terga sui, quos nobiie coutulit Argos. 
360 Hinc quoqvie missus adest, quanivis arcentibus Idmon 
Alitibus; sed turpe viro tiniuisse futura. 
Hie et Naubolides tortas consurgit in undas 
Iphitus ; hie patrium frangit Neptunius sequor, 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 37 

Him TiENARON, with ever-yawning caves, 565 

And Psamathe, re-echoing to the waves, 

Obedient serve. From Pella's gentle shore, 

(Whom at one birth the lovely Hypso bore) 

Deucalion with unerring javelin came, 

And bold Amphion with his faulchion's fame : 570 

So like these twins their mother could not trace, 

Nor wished, a differing trait in either face. 

Then Clymenus and Iphiclus unite 

The power resistless of fraternal might ; 

Their oars, at every stroke, well-timed and strong, 575 

Smite their broad breasts, and bear the bark along. 

Next Nauplius, who shall guide a Grecian host, 

O, high Caphareus, 'gainst thy shelving coast, 

With vengeful fires. With him Oileus rows, 

Whose age the wrathful bolt shall plunge in woes, 580 



Qui tenet undisonam Psamathen, semperque patentem 
36'5 TjEnaron Euphemus : mollique a litore Pell^e 
Deucalion certus jaculis, et coraminus ense 
Nobilis Amphion ; pariter quos edidit Hypso, 
Nee potuit similes, voluitve ediscere vultus. 
Turn valida Clymenus percusso pectora tonsd, 
370 Frater et Iphiclus puppim trahit : et face saeva 
In tua mox Danaos acturus saxa, Caphareu, 
Nauplius : et tortum non ab Jove fulmen Oileus 



38 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

The wrathful bolt not hurled by Jove's just hand, 

And his son shrieking down the Euboic strand ! 

Next he, who near Tegjla's bounds received 

The great Alcxdes, and his toils relieved, 

When his broad limbs with weary moisture flowed, 585 

Faint with his monstrous Erymanthian load, 

Illustrious Cepheus, with Amphidamas : 

More anxious yet their elder brother was 

That Phrixus' beauteous Fleece with golden dies, 

Might be his darling boy's, Anceus', prize. 590 

Eurytion next ; wide o'er his shoulders spread 

The inviolated honours of his head ; 

Vowed, for his safety, by his fearful sire, 

A sacred offering to the Aon i an fire. 

Thee to the deep the Argo's fame impelled, 595 

Nestor, who since hast, unsurprized, beheld 



Qui gemet Euboicas nato stridente per undas : 
Quique Erymanthei sudantem pondere monstri 

375 Amphitryon udem Tegeeo limine Cepheus 

Juvit; et Amphidamas. At frater plenior annisj 
Matuit Anceo vellus contingere Phrixi. 
Tectus et Eurytion servato colla capillo, 
Quern pater Aon i as reducem tondebit ad aras. 

380 Te quoque Thessalic/E, Nestor, rapit in freta puppis 
Fama ; Mycen^eis olini qui Candida velis 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 39 

The ocean white with Mycenjsan sails, 

Ten thousand pilots bound by adverse gales, 

Mopsus was there, not Phcebus* hope in vain; 

Purple his buskins, which his snowy train 600 

Smote in deep folds : his casque with fillets bound, 

It's lofty crest Peneian laurels crowned. 

In the same order with Alcides rows 

Brave Tydeus : there Periclyjyienus glows ; 

Whom sprung from Neleus, would Methone praise, 

On whom would Elis, fleet with coursers, gaze, 606 

And Aulon, frowning o'er the waves below, 

When his fierce crestus crushed his adverse foe. 

Thou too, P^antius, seek'st, with eager oar, 

The prize of Phrixus on the Colchian shore; 610 

Twice Lemnos shalt thou view ; thou now may'st claim 

From thy paternal spear thy rising fame, 



JEquora, nee stantes mirabere mille magistros. 
Hie vates, Phcebique fides non vana parentis, 
Mopsus ; puniceo eui circumfusa cothurno 

385 Palla itnos feri-t alba pedes, vittataque fro litem 
Cassis, et in summo laurus Peneia cono. 
Quin etiam Herculeo consurgit abordine Tydeus, 
Nelidesque Periclymenus : queni parva Methone 
Et levisELis equis, et fluctibus obvius Aulon, ? ( 

390 Caestibus adversos viderunt frangere vuitus. 

Tu quoque Phrixeos remo, PiEANTiE, Colchos 
Bis Lemnon visure petis : nunc cuspide patris. 



40 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Hereafter, loud-resounding by thy side, 

The Herculean quiver shall become thy pride. 

Next sat rich Butes from the Actjean coast; 615 

Hives of unnumbered bees his wealthy boast; 

Proud that his long dark clouds obscure the day, 

"When from nectareous cells, in thick array, 

He sends his monarchs forth ; swiftly they glide, 

O'er realms of thyme that scent Hymettus side. 620 

Phalerus, thou wert next : thy sculptured shield 

Expressed thy former peril on its field : 

Forth from a hollow beech a serpent glides, 

In twelve bright folds he winds around thy sides, 

And infant limbs : far off thy father stands, 625 

And bends his bow with hesitating hands. 

Then Eribotes, on whose arms appears 

The engraved device of very different fears. 



Inclytus, Herculeas olim moture sagittas. 
Proximus huic Butes AcTiEis dives ab oris : 

395 Tnnumeras nam claudit apes, longaque superbus 
Fuscat nube diem ; dum plenas nectare callas 
Pandit, et in dulcem reges dimittit Hymetton. 
Insequeris, casusque tuos expressa, Phalere, 
Arma geris; vacua nam labsus ab arbore parvum 

400 Ter quater ardenti tergo circumvenit anguis : 

Stat procul intendens dubium pater anxius arcunn 
Turn cselata metus alios eerit Eribotes. 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 41 

Nor wert thou slow, O Peleus, to confide 

In ocean-kindred and thy goddess-bride : 635 

On the high prow thy spear resplendent beams ; 

As high above all other spears it seems. 

As when, with lofty boughs, it towering stood, 

The ashen monarch of the Pelian Avood. 

MENffiTius, too, his son with Chiron leaves, 640 

Who with Achilles equal tasks receives ; 

Or on the lyre his labouring hands contend, 

Or with light darts he emulates his friend ; 

Or as a warlike horseman boldly strides, 

And learns to sit their gentle master's sides. 645 

Piileias was there, whom the reports of fame, 

Unerring, of Lyjean race proclaim ; 

Paternal locks adorn his polished brow, 

And, loosened, waving o'er his shoulders flow. 



Nee Peleus fretus soceris et conjuge diva 
Defuit : at prora splendet tua cuspis ab alta, 

405 ./Eacide : tatitum haec aliis excelsior hastis, 
Quantum Peliacas in vertice vicerat ornos. 
Linquit et Actorides natum Chironis in antro 
Ut socius caro paritef meditetur Achilli 
Fila lyrae : pariterque leves puer incitet hastas : 

410 Discat eques placidi conscendere terga magistri, 
Et, quem fama genus non est decepta Lyjei, 
Phleias inmissus patrios de vertice crines, 
Q 2 



m THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Ancjsus* mother fearless trusts her care 650 

To ocean,, whom to ocean's king she bare. 

Nor less secure the skilled Erginus braves, 

Offspring of Neptune, the obedient waves : 

The billowy frauds he knew ; and, when the night 

Shone cloudless, he could name each starry light ; 655 

What wind emissive from his hollow cell, 

/Eolus purposed, he with truth could tell ; 

Nor Tiphys, when, o'ercome with watchful care, 

His eyes sunk, misty, from the assiduous bear, 

To him, mistrustful of his skill, denies 660 

The ruling rudder and the beamy skies. 

With wound-inflicting lead, and bull hide thong, 

The youthful Spartan joined the nautic throng : 

Give but the CEbalian boy full room to raise 

His arms in open air ; the crew shall gaze, 665 



Nee timet Anc^um genetrix conmittere ponto, 
Plena tulit quem rege maris. Securus in aequor 

415 Haud minus Erginus, proles Neptunia, fertur: 
Qui maris insiclias, clarse qui sidera noctis 
Norit, et e clausis quem destinet iEoLUS antris ; 
Nou metuat cui regna l'atis, cui tradere ccelum 
Assidua Tiphys vultum lassatus ab Arcto. 

420 Taurea vulnitico portat celataque plumbo 

Terga Lacon ; saltern in vacuos ut brachiaventos 
Spargat; et CEbalium Pegaseia puppis alumnum 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 43 

Astonished, tho' in sport secure he glow, 

The shores re-echoing each resounding blow. 

Castor, more famous with Thessalian rein, 

The courser's champing fervour to restrain, 

For timid Helle's glittering raft proceeds ; 670 

Cyllarus left, on Amycljea's meads 

Rolls his full sides.— Flushed with T^enarjan dies 

O'er either youth, a purple mantle flies 

In tremulous folds ; their mother's tender love. 

With wondrous art, the double labour wove : 675 

Twice Taygeton she formed with all his woods, 

Twice Eurotas she poured in golden floods ; 

Each on his courser moved in silvery thread, 

And o'er each breast the swan paternal spread. 

Soon, Meleager, from thy folded vest 680 

The bursting clasp displays thy ample chest ; 



Spectet, securo eelebrantem litora ludo, 
Oraque Thessaxico melior contundere freno, 

425 Victorem pavidae Castor dura quaereret Helles, 
Passus Auycljea pinguescere Cyelaron herba. 
Illis T^enario pariter tremit ignea fuco 
Purpura ; quod geminii mater spectabile tela 
Duxit opus : bis Taygeton silvasque comantes 

430 Struxerat : Eurotan molli bis fuderat auro. 

Quemque suus sonipes niveo de stamine portat, 
Et volat amborum patrius de pectore cycnus, 
At tibi collectas solvit jam fibula vestes 3 



44 THE FIRST BOOK OF* 

Displays thy mighty shoulders, broad and bare^ 

And arms that might with Hercules compare. 

Then the Cyllenian race, a numerous band : 

./Ethalides, who with unerring hand, 685 

Would draw the forceful bow's rebounding string, 

And send the arrow whizzing on its wing. 

And thou, O Eurytus, expert to mow 

With rapid faulchion the embattled foe. 

While, not ignoble by his father's arts,. 690 

Echion to the Minyan ranks imparts 

The orders by their earnest leader given ; 

His task below,— his father's task in heaven. 

Argo shall not by thy strong arms return, — 

Thee left in Scythia, Iphis, she shall mourn ! 695 

Thee vigorous, active, shall her ranks deplore, 

Thy vacant seat, and unexerted oar ! 



Ostenditque humeros fortes, spatiumque superbi 
435 Pectoris, Herculeis sequum, Meleagre, lacertis. 
Hinc numerosa phalanx, proles Cyllenia : certus 
iE,THALi»ES subitas nervo redeunte sagittas 
Cogere : tu medios gladio bonus ire per hostes, 
Euryte : nee patrio Minyis ignobilis usu, 
440 Nuntia verba ducis populis qui reddit, Echion. 
Sed non, Iphi, tuis Argo reditura lacertis; 
Heu celereni Scythica te nioesta relinquet h arena, 
Ces&aiiterjsque tuo lugebit in ordine remuui. 



THE ARGONAtJTICA. 4b 

And thee, Admetus, the Pher^ean fields,, 

Blest with the care a heavenly shepherd yields., 

Resign to oeean-plains : there Delius rued 705 

The angry bow that shed Sterope's blood. 

Alas, how frequent, 'mid her green retreats, 

Him as a servile swain his sister meets, 

And weeps his fate ; while he his sorrow hides 

Where frigid branches darken Ossa's sides, 705 

Or where the turbid streams of Bo:eeis spread, 

He soils the rayless honours of his head. 

Canthus was next 3 uprising to immerge 

His forceful oar, and plough the Nerean surge : 

Him a barbaric spear, with deadly thrust, 710 

Shall roll, impetuous, on the Mmats dust : 

Meantime, in all its splendor, near his oar 

Lies the broad shield his father Abas bore : 



Te quoque dant campi tanto pastore Pher^ei 
445 Felices, Admete : tuis nam pendit in arvis 

Delius, ingiato Steropen quod fuderat arcu. 
Ah, quoties famula notis soror obvia silvis 
Flevit, ubi OsSjE^e captaret frigora quercus, 
Perderet et pingui miseros Boebeide crines ! 
450 Insurgit transtris, et remo Nerea versat 

Canthus, in ]Emo volvet quem barbara cuspis 
Pulvere : at interea clari decus adjacet orbis, 
Quem g enitor gestavat Abas : secat aurea fluctu 



46 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Deep thro' the plate the bright Euripeus roll'd, 

Avoids Ciialcidian sands in burnished gold : 715 

Thou, Neptune, in the midst, with lofty rein, 

Drivest thy foul monsters, towering o'er the main, 

Where proud Gerjestum rears its mighty brow, 

And shell-encrusted shoals extend below. 

O Polyphemus, a funereal urn 720 

Stands vacant 'till with thee the bark return ; 

Before the gates the ashes of thy sire 

Lie uncollected 'mid the flaming pyre ; 

This last sad rite reserve the faithful slaves, 

If yet thy filial hands survive the waves. 725 

Idas the last and farthest station kept, 

With shorter strokes the parting sea he swept. 

Lynceus, his brother, from Arene came, 

His mighty service equalling his fame : 



Tegmina Chalcidicas fugiens Euripus harenas .• 
455 Celsaque semiferum contorquens frena luporum 
Surgis ab ostrifero medius, Neptune, Ger^sto. 
Et tibi Palladia pinu, Polypheme, revecto 
Ante urbem ardentis restat deprendere patris 
Reliquias: multum famulis pia justa moratis, 
460 Si venias. Breviore petit jam caerula remo, 

Occupat et longe sua transtra novissimus Idas, 
At frater magnos Lynceus servatur in usus ; 
Quem tulit Arene ; possit qui vumpere terras 9 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 47 

Thro* earth's vast mass his piercing sight would force 

And trace the Styx thro' all its winding course : 731 

He from mid-ocean marks the coast afar, 

And to the vessel points each hidden star ; 

When Jove the heavens with heavy darkness shrouds., 

Lynceus transpierces all the thickening clouds. 735 

Free from the oars fair Orithyia's hopes, 

Zetes and Calais strain the trembling ropes. 

Nor are the banks Odrisian Orpheus' place, 

Nor may the labouring oars his hands disgrace: 

But 'tis for him, with modulated lay, 740 

The well-timed strokes in unison to sway, 

Lest, with o'er-eager sweep, confused, they urge, 

And clash, tumultuous, on the gurgling surge. 

/Esonides to Iphiclus forgave 

The toils of strength, and labours of the wave : 745 



Et Styga transmisso tacitam deprendere visu. 

465 Fluctibus e mediis terras dabit ille magistro, 

Et dabit' astra rati ; cumque aethera Juppiter umbra 
Perdiderit, solus transibit nubila Lynceus: 
Quin et Cecropi^e proles vacat OrithyIjE, 
Teraperet ut tremulos Zetes Fraterque ceruchos. 

470 Nee vero Odrisius transtris inpenditur Orpheus, 
Aut pontum remo subigit: sed carmine tonsas 
Ire doeet, summo passim ne gurgite pugnent. 
Donat et Iphiclo pelagus juvenumque labores 
iEsoNiDEs; fessum Phylace quern miserat sevo 



48 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

For Phylace sent not his weary age 

In tasks of manhood's vigour to engage., 

But with reproof to check the heroes' fires' 

Or rouse with praises of their mighty sires. 

Thy vessel, Argus, filled thy anxious thought; 750 

Thespia resigns thee by Minerva taught ; 

Confiding in thy skill, 'tis given to thee, 

When the curved planks imbibe the silent sea, 

The wave-worn wounds with melted pitch to heal, 

Or press soft wax along the gaping keel. -7 oh 

Tiphys, attentive thro' the tedious night, 

Fixed on the Arcadian beams his stedfast sight : 

He, son of Hagnius, fortunately wise, 

Compelled the tardy phalanx of the skies 

To serve mankind ; and taught the heavens to guide 

Man's fearful path o'er ocean's trackless tide. 761 



475 Non jam operuin in partem ; monitus sed tradat ut acres, 
Magnorumque viros qui laudibus urat avorum. 
Arge, tuae tibi cura ratis : te mcenia doctum 
Thespia Palladio daat munere: sors tibi, ne qud 
Parte trahat taciturn puppis mare ; fissaque fluctu 

480 Vel pice vel molli conducere vulnera cera. 

Pervigil Arcadio Tiphys pendebat ab astro 
Hagniades ; felix stellis qui segnibus usura, 
Et dedit sequoreos ccelo duce tendere cursus, 



THE ARGONAUTlCA, 49 

Now, down the rugged mountain's rapid slopes, 
The leader, proud of his successful hopes, 
Perceives Acastus bounding o'er the field, 
With bristling arrows and refulgent shield. 765 

And when with eager spring the bark he gains, 
And 'mong the men and arms concealed remains, 
jEsonides, with his impetuous sword, 
Severs in twain the yet-restraining cord, 
Thus, thro' some spreading forest's hollow glen, 770 
Flies the swift hunter from a plundered den ; — 
He spurs his steed : — with quick- vibrating ears, 
The steed rebounds, and for his master fears : 
Close to his bosom, wrapt within his vest, 
The tyger's cubs, his dangerous spoil, are prest, 775 
While for their food their savage mother prowls, 
And, still in sight, o'er high Amanus howls. 



Ecce per obliqui rapidum compendia montis 
485 Ductor avens laetusque dolis agnoscit Acastum, 
Horrentem jaculis, et parmae lucis coruscum* 
Ille nt se mediae per scuta virosque carinae 
Intulit ; ardenti .ZEsonides retinacula ferro 
Abscidit. Haud aliter saltus vastaque pernix 
490 Venator cum lustra fugit ; dominoque timentem 
Urguet equum ; teneras conpressus pectore tigres, 
Quas astu rapuit pavido : dum saeva relictis 
Mater in adverso catulis venatur Amano. 
2 R 



50 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Swift flies the bark, propelled by all its oars, 

While the fond mothers gaze along- the shores ; 

Watch the white sails still glimmering on the sight, 780 

And catch the bucklers' long reflective light, 

'Till the curved ocean o'er the mast arise, 

And wide-spread distance mocks their aching eyes. 

Then from his star-wrought throne, with looks benign, 
The Sire of Heaven observes the great design : 785 

Sees Greece in glorious toil her sons employ, 
And smiles upon them with celestial joy. 
Illustrious actions Jove's regard obtain, 
He hates the torpor of his father's reign. 
All heaven rejoiced : — the long-expectant Fates 790 
See the dark paths increase towards their gates. 
But, for his threatened Scythian son distressed, 
Sol thus poured forth the terrors of his breast : 



Ut pariter propulsa ratis; stant litore matres : 
495 Claraque vela oculis, percussaque sole sequuntui - 
Scuta virutn : donee jam eelsior arbore poiltus, 
Inmensusque ratem spectantibus abstulit aer. 
Siderea tunc arce pater pulcherrirna Grajum 
Coepta tuens, tantamque operis consurgere molem, 
500 Lsetatur : patrii neque enim probat otia regni. 
Una omnes gaudent superi, venturaque mundo 
Tempora, quseque vias cernunt sibi crescere Parc^ 
Sed non et Scythici genitor discrimine nati 
Tntrepidus, tales fundit Sol pectore voces: 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 51 

" Great Parent ! at whose will our restlessray 

Cf Ends and renews the still revolving day,— 795 

cc Is this from thee ? — doth Grjjcia's daring sail 

" O'er silenced waves, with thee its guide prevail ? 

" Or may e'en I, permitted, seek relief, 

C( And vent in j list complaints my bursting grief? 

ee Fearful of this.,— such envious hands to shun, — 800 

" I not with southern wealth enriched my son; 

<e Nor gave him tracks immense of fertile soil, 

€C Where earth redundant cheers the gentle toil : 

" (No,— such let Teucer, such let Li-bys grace,— 

" Honour with such ail Pelops' favoured race) 805 

cc Cold sterile land which all thy frosts oppress, 

" And ice-bound rivers, only, we possess* 

cc Yet e'en these realms to others he should give, 

sc Obscure, unhonoured, farther seek to live, — 



505 Summe Sator i cui nostra dies, volventibus annis, 
Tot peragit reficitque vices: tuane ista voluntas? 
Grajaque nunc undis duce te, nutuque secundo, 
It ratis ? an meritos fas et mihi rumpere questus r 
Hoc uietuens, et ne qua foret maims invida nato, 

510 Non mediae telluris opes, non improba legi 

Divitis arva plages: (teneant uberrima Teucer, 
Et Libys, et vestri Pelopis domus) horrida ssevo 
Quae premis arva gelu, strictosque insedimus amnes, 
Cederet his etiam ; et sese sine honors referret 



52 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

" But there in clouds unconscious darkness dwells, 810 

ec And the black zone our genial heat repels. 

e Can his rude realm more happy regions harm ? 

fe Can barbarous Piiasis other streams alarm ? 

ie What envy wakes my son in other climes, 

" As severed from their glory as their crimes ? 815 

fe What wrong incites the Miny^e to complain ? 

Cc Did he by force the Grecian Fleece obtain? 

(e To exile Phrixus he no armies lent, 

<c To Xno's altars no avenger sent : 

" But, with his empire, and his daughter's charms, 820 

sc Soothed to delay the vengeful stranger's arms ; 

sc And now with Grecian grandsons at his side, 

cc Friendship he asks from lands by blood allied. 

ec Yon vessel's course,™ O sire, — it's object turn; — 

c: Ope' not the seas to man to make us mourn. 825 



515 Ulterius: sed nube rigens ac nescia rerum 

Stat super, et nostras jam zona reverberat ignes. 
Quid regio immanis, quid barbarus amnibus illis 
Phasis, et aversis proles mea gentibus obstat ? 
Quid Minyje meruere queri ? num vellete Grajo 

520 Vi potitur ? profugo quin agmina jungere Phrixo 
Abnuit; Inoas ultor nee venit ad aras : 
Imperii sed parte virum nataeque moratus 
Conjugio, videt e Graja nunc stirpe nepotes : 
Et generos vocat, et junctas sibi sanguine terras. 

525 Flecte ratem motusque pater; nee vulnere nostra 



TOE ARGONAUTICA. $3 

" Alas, too conscious of our former woe, 

" Stand the tall trees along the heated Po, 

" Sisters who still their silent sadness keep, 

" And at their father's gaze, remindful, weep." 

At this his brows the warrior-godhead bent, 830 

Shook his plumed helm, and murmured fierce assent : 

High 'mid his shrines the fleecy treasure shone, 

And, with dark sage, he shuddered for tis own. 

Straight Pallas to their causeless grief replies, 

And great Saturnia, with a frown, denies. 835 

Then thus spake Jove : " These things, of old decreed;, 

" In just succession now from us proceed : 

" Fixed, from the first, the course of things remains ; 

■' Nor had ray offspring trod terrestrial plains 

" When fate I ratified : thence right I know,— 840 

" Thence various monarch § to each age bestow. 



iEquora pande viris : veteris sat conseia luctus 
Silva Padi, et viso flentes genitore sorores, 
Adfremit his, quassatque caput, qui vellera dono 
Belljpotens sibi fixa videt: tentataque contra 

530 Pallas, et arbor una gemuit Saturn i a questus. 

Turn genitor : Vetera hsec nobis et condita pergunt 
Ordine cuncta suo, rerumque a, principe cursu 
Fixa manent: neque enim terris turn sanguis in ullis 
Noster erat, cum fata darera ; justique facultas 

535 Hie mihi, cued, varios struerem per secula reges, 



H THE FIRST BOOK OF 

cc The solemn mandates of my wisdom hear : 

" What I resolved I'll speak, — attend, — revere ! 

" Long hath yon region, from the East immense 

" Descending to the Tanais, and from thence 

" f Coasting along the virgin Helle's main, 845 

' f Poured its proud coursers o'er the bounding plain, 

ff And bloomed in heroes • none such ardour fired, 

<c None to dispute their fame in war aspired. 

" Thus Fate, thus I, these cherished realms protect : 

te But let them soon their final day expect ! 850 

cc From sinking Asia I withdraw my hand : 

" The Greeks require their season of command. 

(C My oaks and tripods, and each parents ghost, 

cc For this, o'er ocean urge yon venturous host : 

tc ■■ For thee, Bellona S lo, a path they form/ 

cc 'Mid threatening billows,, and the surging storm. 855 



Atque ego curarum repeiam decreta mearum : 
Jam priclem regio, quse virg-inis sequor ad Helles, 
JEt Tanaik ten us inmenso descendit ab Euro, 
Undat equis, floretqne viris : nee tollere contra 

-540 Ulla pares animos, nomenque capeseere beilis 
Ausa manus: sic fata, locos sic ipse fovebam. 
Aceelerat sed sum no a dies, Asiamque labantem 
Linquimus, et poscunt jam me sua tempora Graji ; 
lude mese quereus, tripodesque, aniaaseque parentum 

545 Hanc pelagjo misere maaiim : via facta per undas, 

Perque hitines, Bellona, tibi : nee vellera tantum 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 55 

e( Not for this Fleece, this radiant Fleece 1 , alone, 

fe Shall Asia, full of rage, insulted, groan : 

l< A deeper grief, the stolen Maid remains ; 

" She but the earlier of their gathering pains ! 860 

" For, (nought than this stands fixed with firmer doom) 

<c A shepherd shall from Phrygian Ida come : 

iC Sorrow, and equal rage, and deadly care, 

" He with the Greeks, in mutual gifts, shall share. 

" Hence from what fleets confederate suitors pour ! 

" How long Mycen e's spouseless dames deplore 

e< The winter-quarters of the Trojan shore ! 

" How numerous round the walls, expiring lie 

Ce Princes and heroes, heaven's own progeny ! 

<e Lo ! strength, lo, valour, sink in mutual hate, 8?Q 

ff Till Asia drops beneath its might}' fate ! 



Indignauda: inanet proprior de virgine raptd 
Ille dolor. Sed nulla magis sententia menti 
Fixa mea? : veniet Phrygia nam pastor ab Ida, 
550 Qui gemitus, basque pares, et mutua Grajis 
Dona ferat: qua classe de hine effusa procorum 
Bella ! q-uot ad Trojam flentes hiberna Mycenas ! 
Quot proceres natosque deum, quae robora cernes 
Oppetere, et magnis Asiam concedere fatis! 



56 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

" Hence too is fixed the Grecian Empire's end : 
" And different nations shall our cares befriend : 
(c Woods, mountains, lakes shall yield ; — the raging sea 
" Expand submissive to our just decree. 875 

" Let hope, let fear, each trembling nation prove ; 
" States, with their monarchs, at ray will, I move, 
" To seek where empire's reins I may assign-, 
ic And leave for ever in one mighty line." 

Then to the ^Eg^ean main his eyes return ; 880 

Strong Hercules and Leda's twins discern : 
And thus again he spake : " Rise, Heroes, rise, 
" By strenuous efforts, towards the starry skies ! 
" Nor sat I chief on heaven's ethereal throne, 
cc TiIUapetus, in arduous war o'erthrown, 
'' And Phlegra's labours made the world my own. 



.! 



555 Hinc Danaum de fine sedet: gentesque fovebo 
Mox alias : pateant montes, silvseque, lacusque, 
Cunctaque claustra maris : spes et metus omnibus esto 
Arbiter ; ipse locos, terrenaque summa movendo 
Experiar, qutenam populis longissima cunctis 

560 Regna velun, linquainque datas> ubi certus habenas. 
Tunc oculos JEgma refert ad cserula, robur 
Hercul^eum Led^eque tuens genus; atque ita fatur : 
Teadite ad astra, viri : me prirnum regia mundo 
Iapeti post bella trucis, PiiLEGRiEQUE labores 



THE ARGONAUTICA 57 

" To you a painful journey I decree : 

<c Claim heaven's high seats by imitating me ! 

" Round the vast ball my Liber proved his birth ; 890 

(C And bright Apollo knows the woes of earth." 

He said : then thro' the void a star directs ; 

Each glowing cloud the streamy fire reflects : 

As towards the ship its lucid journey bends. 

In double streaks the parted flame extends ; 895 

O'er each TindariAn youth the lustre plays, 

Settling, suspensive, with adhesive rajs : 

Full from both foreheads pours the purple light. 

With lambent splendour, innocently bright. 

Seamen in after-times those beams adore, 900 

And 'mid dark tempests as their guides implore. 

Boreas, meantime, from the Pang^an steep, 
Beholds the bark, permitted, plough the deep : 



565 Inposuit: durum vobis iter et grave coeli 
Institui. Sic ecce rueus, sic orbe peracto 
Liber, et expertus terras remeavit Apollo. 
Dixit, et ingenti flammauteni nubila sulco 
Direxit per inane facem : quae puppe propinqua 

570 In biridum discessit iter, fratresque petivit 

Tyndarios: placida et mediis in frontibus haesit 
Protinus amborum ; lumenque innoxia fudit 
Purpureum, miseris olim inplorabile nautis. 
Interea medio saevus permissa profundo 

575 Carbasa Pangea Boreas speculatus ab arce, 
2 S 



58 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Hence, with inflated fury filled, he raves, 

And seeks ^Eolia, and the Tuscan caves. 905 

As the god's rapid wings in anger rise, 

High forests groan, the corn low-rustling lies ; 

The waves curl, frothy, o'er each ruffled lake, 

And darkened seas beneath the monster shake. 

A horrid rock Trinacrian surges meets, 910 

Where high Pelorus from the sight retreats : 

Equal its bulk, beneath the wave, remains, 

With what, in sight, the cloudy height attains. 

With equal rocks the adjoining shores abound, 

And dismal caverns rend the rugged ground. 915 

Pyracmon, naked, smites the glowing ore, 

With Acamas, upon the farther shore ; 

Here, the loud winds in restless tumult dwell, 

And shadowy vapours crowd each hollow cell : 



Continuo vEolitjm Tyrrhenaque tendit ad antra 
Concitus : omne dei rapidis nemus ingemit alis : 
Strata Ceres : motoque niger sub praepete pontus. 
iEquore Trinacrio, refugique a parte Pelori 
580 Stat rupes horrenda fretis : quot in aethera surgit 
Molibus, infernas totieiss demissa sub undas. 
Nee scopulos aut antra minor juxta altera tellus 
Cernitur: illam Acamas habitat, nudusque Pyracmon : 
Has nimbi ventique domos, et naufraga sevvat 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 59 

Here, meditating shipwrecks, tempests lie, 920 

And panting whirlwinds watch their time to fly : 

Hence is the path, where blasts, with fearful sweep, 

Roll o'er the earth, and shake the refluent deep ; 

Here would they oft, in lawless phrenzy driven, 

Blend the vext ocean with the affrighted heaven. 925 

Not JEolxjs ruled, when, with invasive roar, 

The waves rent Calpe from the Libyan shore ; 

Nor where (Enotria wept Sicilia's plain, 

Lost, while thro' mountains rushed the bellowing main. 

Then angry bolts from heaven the Almighty cast, 930 

And spake in thunder to each quivering blast; 

Assigned a monarch, whose appointed sway, 

He bade the boisterous multitude obey ; 

Bars of broad steel, and rocks with rocks combined, 

Within the mountain's womb the winds confined. 935 



585 Tempestas : hinc in terras latumque profundum 
Est iter : hinc olim soliti miscere polumque 
Infelixque fretum : neque enim tunc jEolus ill is 
Rector erat, Libya cum rumperet advena Calpen 
Oceanus, cum flens Siculos (Enotria fines 

590 Perderet, et mediis intrarent montibus undse: 
Intonuit donee pavidis ex aethere ventis 
Omnipotens, regemque dedit, quern jussa vereri 
gseva Conors : in monte chalybs iterataque muris 



60 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Yet oftentimes, unable to assuage 
The clamorous tumult of their factious rage, 
Wearied, the monarch yields ; with cautious hands. 
The massive bars, and ponderous valves, expands : 
Forth the winds rush ; their turbulence abates, 940 

In loosened murmurs, thro' the unfolded gates. 

Swoln with his tidings, thus, with furious tone, 
Boreas assails the monarch on his throne, 
" O JEolus, from yon Pang.ean height, 
" What impious insult strikes my startled sight ! 945 
" Lo, with cleft wood the youth of Greece have made 
" A bulk that floats, and now the deep invade ; 
" In wide -spread sails compel the servile breeze, 
" And pass, triumphant, o'er the yielding seas : 
te Yet may not I upheave, with threatening sweep, 950 
ff The sandy bottom of the engulphing deep ! 



Saxa domant Euros : cum jam prohibere frementurn 
595 Ora nequit, rex tunc aditus et claustra refringit 

Ipse volens, placatque data fera raurmnra porta. 

Nuntius hunc solio Boreas proturbat ab aito : 

Pangjea quod ab arce nefas, ait, iEoLT?, vidi ! 

Graja no vara ferro molem commenta javentua 
600 Pergit, et ingenti gaudens doniat aequora velo : 

Nee mihi libertas iinis freta toliere harems. 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 61 

" Ah, that I was as when,, from bondage free., 

" I knew no chains.— no dungeons,— knew not thee ! 

M Hence faith in ships to impious mortals grew, 

" Boreas, a tyrant's bondaged slave they knew. 955 

" Let me these Greeks, and their mad bark immerge 

" In the swoln horrors of the foaming surge ! ; 

" My sons, its pledges, nought affect my mind. 

" Let me repress the vaunts of vain mankind, 

" While jet the vessel, near Thessalia's strand, 960 

" Remains unknown to any other land." 

He spake, and thro' the hollow-echoing caves, 

The winds roar, restless, and demand the waves. 

To thrust the portal iEoLus descends • 

A whirlwind's force the bulging portal bends. 965 

Joyful each Thracian steed from prison springs, 

Swift Zephyr, and, with night resembling wings, 



Qualis eram, nondum vinclis et carcere clausus ! 

Hinc animi, structseque viris fiducia puppis, 

Quod Bo re an sub rege vidept. Da mergere Grajos, 

605 Insanamque ratem ; nil me mea pignora tangunt, 

Tantam hominum corapesce minas, dum litora juxta 
Thessala, nee dum alise viderunt carbasa terrge. 
Dixerat. At cuueti fremere intus et sequora venti 
Poscere. Turn valido contortatn turbine portam 

610 Inpulit Hippotades : fundunt se carcere laeti 

Thraces equi : Zephyrusque, et nocti concolor alas 



I 



62 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Notus, whose race their cloudy horrors spread, 

Eurus, shower-dank his hair, his horrid head 

Defiled with yellow sand, the tempest led. 

Unanimous they bear, with deepening roar, 

The hoarse-toned billows 'gainst the sounding shore; 

Unanimous, with furious gusts, they rise, 

And roll the storm along the fiery skies ; 

The fiery skies rush down, in thunder hurl'd, 975 

And the black vault of night overwhelms the world. 

The oars, wave-beaten, tremble in each hold, 

The vessel reels, in whirling eddies roll'd, 

Sideways she drives, loud billows o'er her cast, 

The loose sail, playing round the tottering mast, 

Scatters in fragments on the sweeping blast. 

How all the Miny^e shuddered with amaze, 

As the black ether gleamed in horrid rays, 



Nimborum cum prole Notus ; crinemque proeellis 
Hispidus, et multa flavus caput Eurus harena, 
Induxere hiemeul : raucoque ad litora tract u 

6*15 Unanimi freta curva ferunt: nee sola tridentis 
Regna movent: vasto pariter ruit igneus aether 
Cum tonitru, piceoque premit nox omnia coelo. 
Excussi manibus remi ; conversaque frontem 
Puppis in obliquum resonos latere accipit ictus ; 

630 Vela super tremulum subitus volitantia malum 

Turbo rapit. Qui turn Minyis trepidantibus honor { 
Cum picei fulsere poli, pavidamque coruscse 



THE ARGONAUTICA. §3 

And the pale stars their glimmering light concealed ; 

And, with dread shock, the shuddering yegsel heel'dj 985 

Sinking the sail-yard, and the prostrate lee, 

Deep in the terrors of the yawning sea ! 

Nor this storm with loosened blasts they know, 

But think that thus mid-oceans ever flow, 

And,, mournful* murmur ; ■' Hence our fathers fear 

" Rashly o'er interdicted waves to steer ! 99i 

<c Scarce hath our vessel parted from the shore, 

" How jEgan rises with terrific roar : 

rf Clash Cyane^'s rocks amid these waves ? 

" What sea more dreadful for such wretches raves ? 995 

" Expect not, Earth, the Ocean's watry reign ;-— 

f Quit, fearful quit, the inviolable main. J? 

Such words they oft repeat, with faultering breath, 

And weep their doom to such a sluggish death. 



Ante ratem cecidere faces, antennaque laevo 
Prona dehiscentem cornu cum sustulit undam ! 

625 Non hiemem, missosque putant consurgere ventos 
Ignari, sed tale fretum : turn raurmure msesto : 
Hoe erat, inlicitas temerare rudentibus undas 
Quod nostri timuere patres ! vix litore puppim 
Solvirnus ; en quanto fremitu se sustulit £gan ! 

630 Hoccine Cyanejs concurrunt sequore cautes ? 

Tristiiis an miseris superest mare ? linquite, terrse, 
Spem pelagi, sacrosque iterum seponite fluctus. 
Haec iterant ; segni flentes occumbere leto» 



64 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

The great Alcides cast his anxious sight 1000 

On his vain darts, and unavailing might. 

Some, trembling, mingle parting words, — embrace, — 

Pour streams of sorrow o'er each friendly face : 

For as they wretched gaze, the vessel's side 

Disjointed yawns, and sucks the briny tide. 1005 

Now here, now there the blasts of Eurus wrest 

The quivering prow; now from the impellent West 

Black Notus, roaring, rends the shuddering prize, 

While wide around the maddening surges rise. 

Straight from the deep, with triple headed spear, 
And brow cerulean , Neptune deigned appear : 101 1 
" 'Twas yonder vessel" he aloud exclaimed, 
cc That Pallas and my mighty sister named ; 
sc Soothing my breast with supplicative shower, 
sc And won from all the dangers of my power ! 1015 



Magnanimus spectat phavetras et inutile robur 
635 Amphitrioniades : miscent suprema paventes 

Verba alii, junguntque manus, atque ora fatigant: 
Aspectu tota in misero cum protinus alnus 
Solvitur, et vasto puppis mare sorbet hiatu. 
Illam hue atque illuc nunc torquens verberat Eurus, 
640 Nunc stridens Zephyris aufert Notus; undique fervent 
jEquora. Cum subitus trifida Neptunus in hasta 
Caeruleum fundo caput extulit. Hanc mihi Pallas, 
Et Soror hanc, inquit, mulcens raea pectora fletu 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 65 

*' Let Pharians hence,— let Tyrians hence believe, 

ee In licenced safety we their prows receive ; 

" So shall rent sails on southern tempests fly, 

* f And our waves groan, replete with those who die. 

" Not my Orion, nor, with threatening glow, 1020 

" Shall Taurus, with his Pleiades, bestow 

(S New forms to death ; — by thee, O Argo, led., 

" Wider amid the wretched nations spread 

" Destructive fates ! — nor justly shalt thou share, 

" O Typhis, any parents' votive prayer, 1025 

tc When for the good they ask Elysian rest, 

" Among the peaceful manes of the blest." 

The sire of Ocean, as he soeaks, restores 

Peace to the deep, and to the enchafing shores ; 

And every stormy southern blast dispels : 1030 

Whom, as they hurry towards the ^Eolian cells, 



Abstulerint: veniant PHARiiE Tyri^eque carinae, 
645 Permissumque putent : quoties rnox rapta videbo 
Vela Notis, plenasque malis clamoribus undas ! 
Non mens Orion, aut ssevus Pliade Taurus 
Mortis caussa novae : miseris tu gentibus, Argo, 
Fata paras : nee jam uteri to tibi, Typhi, quietum 
650 Uila parens volet Elysium manesque piorum. 
Hsee ait, et pontum pater ac turbata reponit 
Litora, depellitque Notos : quos caerulus Horror 
2 T 



66 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

Cerulean Horror, wrapt in misty shrouds, 

Dark, heavy, Moisture, 'mid impending clouds, 

And, in loose deluge, deep descending Rain, 

Attend, submissive, o'er the encurving main. 1035 

Day shines released, with wide diffusive glow, 

And Heaven unbends the bright etherial bow ; 

Thro' the calm air the fleecy vapours glide, 

And float, returning, o'er each mountain's side. 

On the smooth waters, now, the bark appears, 1040 

Which Thetis, and the friendly Nereus rears 

From the vast gulf, from Ocean's lowest sands, 

And aid it onward with their mighty hands. 

Then, o'er his shoulders thrown the sacred stole, 
The Leader took the vast /Esonian bowl : 1045 

*Twas by Salmoneus offered to requite 
The present, and the hospitable rite, 



Et madido gravis Unda sinu, longeque secutus 
Imber, ad JEoiaje teiidunt simul sequora portse. 

655 Emicuit reserata dies; ccelumque resolvit 

Arcus; et in summos redierunt nubila montes. 
Jam placidis ratis exstat aquis, quam gurgite ab imo 
Et Thetis, et magnis Nereus socer engit ulnis. 
Ergo humeros ductor sacro velatur amictu, 

660 ^Esoniamque capit pateram : quam munere gaudens 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 67 

When he, delighted with a quiver's store, 

Repayed light arrows with resplendent ore. 

Not frantic, then, along a rattling beam, 1050 

Was Jove's dread thunder his infuriate dream, 

Nor did he like the deity pretend 

On Rhodope or Athos to descend, 

While thro' sad Pisa's crackling woods he wields 

Destructive flame, and fires the Eljsan fields. 1055 

Jason, from this bright vase, on ocean poured 

A gentle stream, and, in these words, adored : 

" Ye Gods, who rule the storms and roaring main, 

" With power approaching heaven's almighty reign ; 

" And thou, O Father, to whose fortune fell, 1060 

" Waves, and the gods biformed, that in them dwell, 

" Was this but Ocean's night ? — or, on its poles, 

" Sustaining heaven's eternal labour, rolls 



Liquerat hospitio, pharetrasque rependerat auro 
Salmoneus : nondum ille farens; cum lingeret alti 
Quadrifida trabe tela Jovis, contraque ruentem 
Aut Athon, aut Rhodopen ; mcestte nemora ardua PiSiE 

665 iEmulus et miseros ipse ureret Elidis agros. 
Hac pelago libat latices, et talibus infit : 
£)i, quibus undamm teinpestatisque sonorse 
Imperium et magno penitus par regia ccelo: 
Tuque, fretum divosque pater sortite biformes : 

670 Seu casus nox ista fuit ; seu volvitur axis, 

Ut superum sic staret opus ; tollique vicissim 



68 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

" The axis of the world ? while billows claim 

" Their turn to rise upon the ethereal frame ? 1065 

" Or as our bark, a sight unknown, appeared, 

ec And men, and arms, and sudden standards reared, 

" Arose in you this rage ? — Let this suffice : 

" Henceforth, O, deign regard our enterprize, 

ec With godhead more propitious ! — spare, O spare 

*' These mighty lives entrusted to my care ; — 

w Let me to earth their willing feet restore, 

" To the loved threshold of each parent's door ! 

" Unnumbered honours, then, in every place, 

" With high-piled offerings, shall thy altars grace : 1075 

" Thou shalt thyself, O Sire, tremendous stand, 

" Waves, wheels, and steeds, beneath thy dread command; 

" Fierce Tritons holding each impendent rein. 

<c Thee, thus majestic, shall our towns contain!" 



Pontus habet ; seu te subitae nova puppis imago 
Armorumque hominumque truces consurgere in iras 

675 Inpulit: hsec luerim satis ; et tua numina, rector, 
Jam fuerint meliora mihi. Da reddefe terris 
Has animas, patrieeque amplecti limine porta?. 
Turn quocumque loco meritas tibi plurimas aras 
Pascet honos,. ubicumque rotis horrendus equisve 

680 Stas, pater, atque ingens utrimque fluentia Triton 
Frena tenet; tantus nostras condere per urbes, 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 69 

He spake : the men, with solemn shout arose, 1080 

And raised their hands, attestive of their vows. 
'Tis thus when Sirius, with destructive beams, 
O'er parching harvests and o'er gasping- teams, 
Oppressive glows; (the vengeance of the skies, 
Beneath whose rage Calabria groaning lies,) 1085 

'Mid ancient groves the trembling shepherds meet, 
And prayers, dictated by their priest, repeat. 

The Miny^e, ' straight, each gentle breeze perceive, 
In soft descent their airy mansions leave ; 
The hollow vessel feels the favouring gale ; 1090 

Flies o'er its rapid course with swelling sail, 
Furrows the waves, that, foaming in its way, 
Break 'gainst its trident prow in glittering spray. 
Tiphys directs the helm, the youthful bands, 
In still obedience, sit as he commands. 1095 



Dixerat haec : oritur clamor, dextrseque sequentum 
Verba ducis. Sic cum stabulis et messibus ingens 
, Ira deum, et Calabri populator Sirius arvi 
Incubuit; coit agrestum man us inscia priscum 
685 In nemus, et miseris dictat pia vota sacerdos. 
Ecce autem molli zephyros descendere labsu 
Adspiciunt; voiat inniissis cava pinus habenis, 
Infiditque salum, et s pumas vomit sere tridenti : 
Tiphys agit, tacitique sedent ad jussa ministri. 



10 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

So round the throne of Jove, in awe supine, 
Waiting the mandate of the nod divine, 
Lie winds, and swelling showers, and thickening snow, 
Thunder, and flame, and streams ere yet they flow. 

Then sudden fears assail the anxious chief: 1100 
And his soul throbs with presages of grief : 
Self-blamed that young Acastus he'd beguiled, 
And wounded thus the monarch in his child ; 
That all his friends exposed to death he'd left, 
His sire suspected, and of aid bereft : 1 105 

Behind himself while distant safety spreads. 
Vengeance enraged might burst upon their heads. 
Nor vain his fears,— he feels the approaching fate. 
While Pelias maddens with infuriate hate. 
From lofty rocks his eyes the vessel seek, 1110 

Nor knows he where his glowing ire to wreak : 



690 Qualiter ad summi solium Jovis omnia circum 

Prona parata deo, ventique, imbresque, nivesque, 
Fulguraque et tonitrus, et adhue in fontibus amnes. 
At subitus curaque ducem metus acrior ornni, 
Mensque mali praesaga quatit : quod regis adortus 

695 Progeniem, raptoque doiis crudelis Acasto, 

Cetera nuda neci, medioque in erimine patrem 
Liquerit, ac nullis inopem vallaverit armis, 
Ipse procul nunc tuta tenens : ruat omnis in iilos 
Quippe furor. Nee vana pavet, trepidatque futuris. 

700 Ssevit atrox Pelias, inimica vertice ab alto 

Vela vidct; nee qua se avdens effundere possit. 



THE ARCONAUTICA. 71 

Nor his late purpose, nor his kingdoms please ; 

His powerless armies shout along the seas : 

And brightening 1 waves their arms and fires reflect, 

While ocean's watery bars their prize protect. 1115 

Thus when swift Daedalus, from Creta's shore, 

While shorter wings his loved companion bore, 

Flew o'er the extensive domes,— a new formed cloud, 

In vain the troops of Minos shout aloud, 

Wearying their vacant gaze, his flight enquire, 1120 

Then to their walls, with quivers full, retire. 

Now thro' each chamber, with distracted thought, 
The tortured king for his Acastus sought]: 
Prostrate along the moistened ground he lay, 
Where the youth's absent feet had marked the way : 
He kissed each mark, with sad-remindful care, 
And swept each footstep with his hoary hair. 



Nil animi, nil regna juvant : fremit objice ponti 
Clausa cohors, telisque salum facibusque coruscat. 
Haud secus, serisona volucer cum D^dalus ora 

705 Prosiiuit, juxtaque comes brevioribus alis ; 

Nube nova linquente domos, Minoia frustra 
Infremuit manus, et visu lassatur inani 
Omnis eques, plenisque redit Gortyna pharetris. 
Quia etiam in thalamis, primoque in limine Acasti 

710 Fusus humi, juvenis gressus et inania signa 
Ore premit, sparsisque legens vebtigia canis, 



72 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

" My child" lie cried ec e'en now, amid thy fears, 

tc Perhaps thy parent's mournful form appears ; — 

C( Perhaps thy father's tears, thy father's sighs, 1130 

" E'en now, within thy troubled bosom, rise. 

" Now, by thy startled soul the treachery found, 

ce And Death confessed in all its forms around ! 

cc Thee whither shall I follow ? — where deplore ? 

" He seeks not Pontus, nor the Scythian shore ! 1135 

" But now on thee, by praise deceitful won, — 

" On thee, (the wretch!)— on thee, my darling- son, 

ct Now vents the barbarous dictates of his rage,™ 

• f On thee, the hope, the anguish of my age ! 

iC Could lofty ships 'mid roaring waves prevail, 1140 

fs What band of youths, what wide extended sail 

iC Had I assigned! — O house devoid of joy! 

" Penates ! faithless guardians of my boy I" 



Te quoque jam moesti forsan genitoris imago 
Nate, ait, et luctus subeunt suspiria nostri. 
Jaraque dolos, ciroumque trucis discrimina leti 

7 15 Mille vides: — qua te infelix, qnibus insequar oris? 
Non Scythicas ferus ille domos, nee ad ostia Ponti 
Tendit iter; falsa sed captum iaudis amore 
Te, piier, in nostrse durus tormenta senectse 
Nunc lacerat. Celsis an si freta puppibus essent 

720 Pei via non ultro juvenes clapsernque dedissem ? 
O doaius, O freti nequicquam prole Penates! 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 73 

Still as he spake, all terrible in ire, 

His threatening eyes dart forth infuriate fire ; ] 145 

<c Plunderer (' he cried " wounds here for thee remain : 

<c Let tears he thine, — tears for a parent slain." 

He rushes forth, — then unresolved returns :—- 

His mind with every varied vengeance burns. 

Thus when Thyoneus, fired with impious scorns, 1150 

Bore down the Thracians with impulsive horns, 

While dismal cries thro' wretched HiEMus poured, 

And Rhodope, thro' all its forests, roared, 

Such seemed Lycurgus, whom with fainting dread, 

Thro' the long porch his wife and children fled. 1155 

And now Alcimede, with anxious thought. 
For Pluto, and the Stygian Manes, brought 
Dire offerings; from the summoned shades to learn 
Ought certain of her son, her fond concern. 



Dixit, et extemplo furiis iraque minaci 
Terribilis; Sunt hie etiam tua vulnera, prsedo; 
Sunt lacrimse, earusque parens. Simul sedibus altis 

725 Itque reditque fremens, rerumque asperrima versat. 
Bistonas ad meritos cum cornua saeva Thyoneus 
Torsit, et infelix jam mille furoribus H/EMUS, 
Jam Rhodopes memora alta gemunt, talem incita longis 
Porticibus conjuxque fugit natique Lycurgum. 

730 Tartareo turn sacra Jovi, Stygiisque ferebat 
'Manibus Alcimede, tanto super anxia nato ; 
Si quid ab excitis melius pieenosceret umbris. 
2 U 



U THE FIRST BOOK OF 

And, led by her, the yielding* iEsoN came; 1160 

The same his care, — his restless fears the same. 

Now each wide trench is filled with sacred blood : 

For opening Plegethqn the horrid flood 

Steams stagnate: and with shrill, tumultuous, cries 

An aged Thessalian sorceress bids arise 1165 

Their ancestors, a pale and lifeless crowd ; 

And calls the god of Atlas' race aloud ! 

Already Cretheus' shadowy form was seen : 

At the strong verse he rose with solemn mein : 

On his sad children fixed his fearful gaze, 1 170 

And thus the draughts of hallowed gore repays. 

' e Dismiss your fears ; along the seas he flies,- — 

se All Ma shakes with frequent prodigies : 

u Thicken at his approach the signs of heaven, 

" And Colchos faints at each response that's given. 



Tpsum etiam, cu risque parem, talesque preraentem 
Corde metus ducit, facilern tamen, ./Esona conjux. 
"35 In scrobibus cruor, et largos Phlegethontis operti 
Stagnat honos, saevoque vocat grandseva tumultu 
Thessalis exanimes atavos, magnseque Nepotem 
Pleiones. Et jam tenues ad Carolina vultus 
Extulerat, mcetosque tuens natumque uurumque, 



40 Talia libat© pandebat sanguine Cretheus : 

Mitte metus, volat ille niari: quantumque propinquat a 
Jam magis atque magis vanis stupet Ma deorum 
Prodigik, quatiuntque truces oracula Colchos* 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 75 

'* He enters 'mid the accomplishment of fate ! 

" What horror, as he moves, pervades the state ! 

" Then here returns triumphant thro' his toils ; 

" Superb with Scythian dames, and Scythian spoils ! 

<c O that I then might burst the involving mould, 1180 

" And all the glories I foretel behold J 

iC But ah ! for thee the Monarch's restless ire 

<c Seeks death fraternal,— burns with impious fire ! 

fc Then free thy soul J— escape this servile frame ! 

" Fly •— thou art mine ! — thee the blest spirits claim; 

" And hovering, anxious round his secret cell, 1 1861 

ec Our parent iEoLtrs summons thee to dwell 

<e In sacred groves, where silent shadows stray ! 

cc Haste then, my Son, the awful call obey." 

Meantime throughout the mournful mansion spread 
The attendants' screams replete with utter-dread : 1191 



Heu quibus ingreditur fatis ! qui gentibus hdriw 
745 Pergit! mox Scythi^e spoliis nuribusque superbtis 

Adveniet : cuperem ipse graves turn nvmpere terras. 

Sed tibi triste nefas, fraternaque turbidus arma 

Rex parat, et ssevos irarum eoncipit ignes. 

Quin rapis hanc animam, et famulos citus effiigi's artlis? 
750 I: meus es, jam tu in lucos pia turba silentum, 

Secretisque ciet volrtans pater JEoLtis antris. 

Horruit iuterea famulum clamore supremo 

]VIcesta domus : regeraque fragor per mcEnia differ^ 



76 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

The fearful clamour speaks the monarch near ; 

That round the walls his numerous troops appear ; 

That he already to their daring hands 

Assigns the purpose of his dire commands, 1195 

The frightened priestess rent her hallowed hood, 

O'ertimied the altars, and the blazing wood, 

While aged iEsoN, startled at the sound, 

Gazed for the cause, with fearful sight, around. 

Then, as a lion, whom a band of foes 1200 

With blending spears, and straightening ranks, enclose, 

Pants quick, his breath in shorter roarings draws, 

Quiver his eyeballs, and contract his jaws ; 

So cares invest the aged warrior's mind ; 

To seize the edgeless steel he first designed, 1205 

And with his youthful glory arm his years ; 

Or rouse the changeful people, and the peers. 



Mille cieve manus, et jam dare jussa vocatis. 
755 Flagrantes aras, vestemque, nemusque sacerdos 

Prsecipitat, subitisque circumspicit iEsoN, 

Quid moveat. Quam multa leo cunctatus in arta. 

Mole virum, rictuque genas et lumina pressit ; 

,Sic cures subiere ducein, ferrumne eapessat 
760 Inbelle, atque sevi senior gestamina primi : 

An patres regnique acuat mutabile vulgus. 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 77 

Then, her fond arms extended, to his breast 
His consort clung, and thus her soul exprest : 
" O still, whatever woes on thee await, 1210 

" Receive me the companion of thy fate ! 
" I will not drag out life, — not e'en to see 
" My mighty offspring, if bereft of thee. 
c: Enough submission to the gods I've shewn ! — 
cc Beheld I not resigned, repressed each groan, 1215 
" His first of vessels o'er the deep depart, 
(C Stifling such sorrow in my bursting heart?" 
She spake in tears ; sighs mingled in her breath ; 
While /Eson, silent, pondered deep on death : 
Resolved what path the impending threats to fly, 1220 
And how with honour he might dare to die : 
His son, his well fought wars, the ./Eolian race, 
Demand a death untainted with disgrace. 



Contra effusa raanus, hserensque in pectore conjux: 

Me quoque, ait, casus, comitem, quicumque propinquat, 

Accipies: nee fata traham, natumque videbo 

765 Te sine. Sat cceli patiens, cum prima per aitum 
Vela dedit, potui quae tantum ferre dolorem. 
Talia per laerimas. Et jam circumspicit iEsosr, 
Prseveniat qno line minas, quo fata capessat 
Digna satis: magnos obitus natumque domumque 

770 Et genus tEolitjm, pugnataque poscere bella. 



78 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

He, too, to shew his younger son desires 
How from the world a hero's soul retires ; 122& 

To teach him glorious deeds, and virtuous pride, 
And vengeance, mindful how his father died ! 

The rites renewed, a bull, the victim stood, 
Whose sallow sides were foul with clotted blood: 
O'er him its night of shade a cypress spread, 1230 

And black yew-garlands crowned his sickening head : 
Cerulean bands his horns impatient bound ; 
He beat with eager hoof the hateful ground ; 
Low'd faintly; trembled with averted eyes, 
As thro' the earth the awful shadows rise. 1235 

Th^s the Thessalian long reserved to grace 
( Such the dire custom of the wretched race ) 
Some rite terrific when he might atone, 
With sacrifice select, the infernal throne. 



Est etiam ante oculos aevi rudis altera proles, 
Ingentes animos et fortia discere facta 
Quem velit, atque olim leti meminisse paterni. 
Ergo sacra novat: veteris sub nocte cupressi 

77-5 Sordidus, et multa pallens ferrugine taurus 
Stabat adhuc : cui cserulese per cornua vittse, 
Ei; taxi frons hirta comis : ipse aeger, anhelans, 
Impatiensque loci, visaque exterritus umbra. 
Hunc sibi prsecipuum, gentis de more nefanda?., 

78.0 Thessalis in seros Ditis servaverat usus. 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 79 

He now with awe the triple Queen adores, 1240 

And, by the last expiring flame, implores 

The Stygian Mansions, while his lips rehearse, 

Backward, the stanzas of the prayer-fraught verse; 

Else the dark boatman leaves the shadowy train ; 

Who all 'mid Qrcus' foul defiles remain. 1245 

As on the sordid bull he turned his sight, 

Reserved thus aptly for the horrid rite, 

Fixed upon death, the destined horns he presto 

And poured these last emotions from his breast. 

" O ye, who from high Jove received your reign, 1250 

" And life's long journey not performed in vain! 

xc Names, both in counsel and in war my pride, — 

' c Names, which your glorious sons have sanctified ! 

" Thou chief, O Parent, summoned to arise 

xt Amid these shades, to view my obsequies, 1255 



Tergeminam turn placat heram, Stygiasque supremo 
Obsecrat igne domos, jam jam exorabile retro 
Carmen agens : neque enim ante leves niger avehit umbras 
Portitor, et cunctse primis stant faueibus Orci. 

785 Ilium ubi terrifici superesse iu tempore sacri 
Conspexit, statuit leto, supremaque fatur, 
Ipse manu tangens damnati cornua tauri : 
Vos, quibus imperium Jovis, et non segne peractum 
Lucis iter, mihi conciliis, mihi cognita bellis 

790 Nomina, magnorum fama sacrata nepotum : 
Tuque excite parens umbris, ut nostra videres 



80' THE FIRST BOOK OP 

" And feel forgotten throbs of mortal woe, 
ee Conduct me to your placid vales below ! 
cc And may this victim, which my path precedes, 
" Gain me reception in your sacred meads ! 
" Virgin, whose eyes o'er all things, equal, move, 1260 
" Who point'st the guilty to almighty Jove : 
■" Avenging Goddesses !— eternal Truth ! 
te Dire Torment, endless, without sense of ruth, 
" Great ancient mother of the furies come, 
" And fill the tyrant's woe-deserving dome ! 1265 

<c Within it ail your torturing torches shake, 
" 'Till his swolen heart with conscious terror break. 
cc Let him not think that ships, by him begun, 
ff Bear miseries only for my mighty son, 
" Let fleets with standards of the Pontic hosts, 1270 
" And kings, enraged at their attempted coasts, 



Funera, et oblitos superum paterere dolores; 
Da placidee mihi sedis iter; meque hostia vestris 
Conciliet preemissa locis. Tu nuntia sontum 

795 Virgo Jovr, terras occulis quae prospiei's sequis; 

Ultricesque Des, Fasque, et grandseva Furortjm 
Pcena parens, mentis regis succedite tectis, 
Et saevas infecte faces: saeer eftera raptet 
Corda Favor. Nee sola mei gravia ad fore nati 

800 Anna ratemque putet : clussesque, et Pontica signa, 
Atque indignatos lemerato litore reges 



THE ARGONAUT ICA. 81 

i( Impel his troubled soul in base alarms, 

xe To watch the ocean with perpetual arms. 

cx Let tedious death each wished escape deny; 

" Let all my curses reach him ere he die ! 1275 

" O, let him, pale, the heroes safe behold, 

" Their course wide-beaming with refulgent gold ; — 

Y - c Then thro' the earth, confest, my shade shall stand, 

'' And point their trophies with insulting hand. 

« Then,— not till then,— if hid in hell ye know 1280 

xc An unattempted death, an untaught woe, 

" A shame unheard of,— O in that engage 

" The expiring hour of his confiding age ! 

<e O let him die not on the martial plain ; 

f Let my son's sword his abject heart disdain ■;■■ — 1285 

,c Let those he trusts,— let those esteemed most dear, 

" His aged limbs, and feeble sinews tear : 



Mente agitet ; semperque nietu decurrat ad undas, 
Arm a ciens. Mora sera viam tentataque claudat 
EfFugia, et nostras nequeat prsecurrere diras: 

805 Sed reduces jam jamque viros, auroque coruscum 
Cernat iter : stabo insultans, et ovantia contra 
Ora manusque feram. Turn, vobis si quod iuausum 
Arcanumque nefas, et adhuc incognito leti 
Sors superest, date fallaci pudibunda senectse 

810 Exitia, indecoresque obitus: non Marte, nee armis, 
Aut nati precor ille mei dignatus ut umquam 
Ense cadat; quin fida manus, quin cara suorum 
£ X 



82 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

" Nor let them to the dark sepulcral stone, 
sc His corse consign : For pangs like these alone 
" With expiation may my blood appease, 1290 

' And Man, for all the miseries of the seas." 

Straight at his side the eldest Fury stood, 
And touched the cup that smoked with clouded blood ; 
While to their lips each eager parent bore, 
And drew, with greedy draughts, the venomed gore. 

Clamour bursts forth, and, rapid, lo, within, 1296 
With clash of arms, and loud impetuous din, 
Rush those who, bear the monarch's dread commands, 
The obedient rapiers glittering in their hands. 
These in mid-death the aged pair behold, 1300 

Whose sickening sight suffusive mists enfold : 
While, in convulsive pangs, from either breast, 
Streams the black poison o'er the heavy vest. 



Diripiat laceretque senem ; nee membra sepulcro 
Contegat ; haec noster de rege piacula sanguis 

815 Sumat, et lieu cunctae, quas misit in Bequora, gentes„ 
Adstitit, et nigro fumantia pocula tabo 
Contigit ipsa gravi Furiarum maxima dextrst. 
Illi avide exceptum patens hausere cruorem. 
Fitfragor*. irrumpunt souitu, qui sseva ferebant 

824 Imperia, et strictos jussis regalibus enses. 
In media jam morte senes, suffectaque leto 
<Lumina, et undanti revomentes veste cruorem 



THE ARGOMAUTICA. S3 

And thee, sweet child, in guilt, in life untried, 
Gazing, all pallid, as thy parents died ; 1305 

Thee, thee they seize, and, with relentless blades, 
Dismiss thee to thy parents' hovering shades 5 
Just as pale iEsosr, shuddering from the sight, 
Sunk, a remindful ghost, to realms of night. 

Beneath our axis, parted from the skies, 1310 

The Sire Tartarian's awful roofs arise. 
Would Jove the chain, that holds the globe, unloose, 
And all things to their pristine mass reduce, 
Unmoved these seats should stand, tho', fearful hurled, 
In swift descent revolve the bounding world. 1315 

Deep Chaos there, with yawning throat, appears, 
All-potent to devour the crumbling spheres. 
Eternal there arise two lofty gates : 
The one, with ever-open valves, awaits 



Conspichmt : primoque rudem sub limine rerum 
Te, puer, et visa pallentem morte parenturn, 

U25 Diripiunt, adduntque tuis : procul horruit jEson 

Excedens, memoremque tulit sub nubibus umbram. 
Cardine sub nostro rebusque abscisa supernis 
Tartarei sedet aula patris : non ilia ruenti 
Aceessura polo, victam si solvere molem 

830 Juppiter, et primse velit ojnnia reddere massae. 
Ingenti jacet ore Chaos ; quod pondere fessatn 
Materiem, labsumque qaeat consumere raundum. 
Hie geminse seternum portse : quarum altera, durd 



84 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

The crowds of nations, and their kings, who pour, 1320 

In shadowy tumult, thro' the dreadful door. 

The other's vast, unyielding, wards to try, 

Or press against it, is impiety : 

Seldom, and then spontaneous, it expands ; 

If at its porch a mighty leader stands, 1325 

On whose firm breast appear the front-borne scars : 

Who o'er plumed helmets, and triumphant cars, 

Would patriot love, paternal duty place, 

Eager to quell the miseries of our race ; 

Exalted truth his actuating fire, 1300 

Untouched by fear, untainted Hy desire : 

Or when, in holy wreaths, and spotless vest, 

A priest, revered, demands celestial rest, 

These, as he waves his feet in gentle flight, 

And shakes his torch, that sheds ethereal light, 1335 



Semper lege patens, populos regesque receptat ; 

835 Ast aliam tentare nefas, et tendere contra ; 

Rara et sponte patet ; si quando pectore ductor 
Vulnera nota gerens ; galeis praefixa rotisque 
Cui domus, aut studium mortales pellere curas, 
Culta fides, longe metus atque ignota cupido : 

840 Seu venit in vittis, castaque in veste sacerdos. 
Quos omnes lenis plantis, et lampada quassans* 



THE ARGONAUTICA. 85 

The god directs, who sprang from Atlas' race. 

With beams emissive towards the destined place. 

Then vales and meadows where the pious stray, 

Where thro' the year extends the unsetting day, 

Where summer's sun expands his cloudless beams, 1340 

And choirs with festive dance, and heavenly themes, 

And dulcet voices, fill the fragrant air ; 

People that know no wish, retain no care, 

They view rejoicing. Here, immediate, come, 

Led by their parent to the eternal dome, 1345 

iEsoN with his Alcimede: he shews 

Where the left gate displays its direful woes, 

What punishment for Pelias' crimes remain; 

And points the station of his future pain ; 



Progenies Atlantis agit : lucet via late 
Igne dei : donee silvas et amoena piorum 
Deveniant, carnposque, ubi sol, totumque per annum 
845 Durat aprica dies, thiasique, chorique virornm, 

Carrninaque, et quorum populis jam nulla cupido. 
Has pater in sedes geternaque moenia natum 
Inducitque nuium : turn, porta quanta sinistra 
Pcena, docet, maneat Pelian ; quo limine, monstrat : 



86 THE FIRST BOOK OF 

They hear, astonished, torture's shrieking din, 1350 

Gaze at the crowd that rush tumultuous in : — 
Behold each place : with awful pleasure know 
That generous virtue is revered below. 



850 Mirantur tantos strepitus, turbamque ruentem, 
Et loca, et infernos almee virtutis honores* 




From an Antique. 



NOTES, 



CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. 



TO THE READER. 

Some of these notes are compiled from the collection of Burman ; 
but among the vast body of comments, which he has presented to 
his readers, I have found very few, that might interest the tatte, 
or satisfy the judgment .- I have, therefore, frequently wished 

for other sources of critical information. However, as I would 
not depend on my memory, and did not possess either time, or 
books sufficient for a:ry extensive references, I found myself 
obliged to make the best of very scanty materials. It was my 
intention to have confined myself wholly to critical remarks; 
but since the story of the poem is involved in mythology, I 

found it necessary to introduce much of the heathen fables, to 
the exclusion of many notes that might have possessed more 
general interest. 



N. B. The verse and number refer to the translation, unless where the Latin is particu- 
larly mentioned. 



Ver. 2. — Dared their first path. The Akgo has by most au-? 
thors been considered the first ship that ever sailed upon the 
ocean. Thus Catullus, 

Ilia rudem cursu prima imbuit Amphitritem. 

'Twas her bold planks, first buoyant on the main, 
Drank the rude waves of Amphitrite's reign. 

But since vessels are described previous to this voyage, particu^ 
larly with respect to the Lemnians, we may very well suppose (and 
the nature of all human undertakings supports the supposition) 
that many ships were in use before the Argo, but that none, or 
those unheard of, hazarded a voyage of considerable length and 
danger. 



88 

Ver. 5. Prophetic Bark. The Argo has the epithet of 

TToXvy^ua-o-ov (loquacious) in Sophocles, and loqaax in Claudian. See 
note on verse 46-5. 

Ver. 5. — Phasis. The Phasis was a river of Colchis or Col- 
chos, rising in the mountains of Armenia, it is now called Faoz s 
it falls into the east of the Euxine. Colchis more properly formed 
a part of Asiatic Sarmatia than of Scythia, which extended farther 
northward ; but this distinction is seldom considered by the poets, 
and we find all the nations about the north and east of the Black 
Sea, designated by the appellation of Scythians. 

Lat. V. 4. — Flammifero tandem conscdit Olympo. It is manifest 
from this line that th<j poet intended to complete his design by the 
return of the Argonauts to Thessaly. Mount Olympus is now 
railed Lacha by the Turks. 

Ver 10. — Quinces heaven-taught maid. The Sibyl of Cymaea 
or Cumae was the most celebrated of the inspired women known 
by the name of Sibyls : her prophetic utterance is thus described 
by Virgil. 

Talibus ex adyto dictis Cr.msea Sibylla 

Horrendas canit ambages antroque remugit, 

Obscuris vera involvens : ea fraena furenti 

Concutit, et stimulus sub pectoxe vertit Apollo. 

Thus the Cumsean Sibyl from her cell, 
Howled in dire utterance, all confused and wild, 
Involving truth with darkness thro' her verse : 
For thus Apollo shook the impellent reins 
Urging her fury, and, with eager spur, 
Goaded her throbbing bosom. 

The Sibylline verses, deposited in the Capitol, perished in the con* 
flagration of that building in the time of Sylla : a collection of 
such verses as had been uttered by these prophetesses was then 
made throughout Greece, and there are now extant eight book& 
of writings under that name; but they bear strong testimony of 
having been fabricated long since the birth of Christ. Some wri- 
ters, however, seem to be determined to believe them to be 
authentic; and Mr. Cumberland ventures, in their favour, to 
differ from his learned grand-uncle, the illustrious Bentley. It 
is manifest from this passage, that Valerius Flaccus was one of 
those priests called Quindecim Viri 9 whose office it was to inspect 



89 

and interpret the Sibylline verses as wel a? o preserve them, 
Tarquin appointed only two persons of the highest family to this 
office, but in the year of Rome 388 their number was increased to 
ten, and some were allowed to be of Plebeian birth. Sylla first 
appointed fifteen, 

Ver, 13,— And Thou. Dodwell, in his Annales Quintilianei, 
quotes the original of this invocation, and makes the following 
observations upon it. " We collect from this address to Vespasian 
" that he wrote the poem of the Argonantica during the reign of 
*' Domitian. I confess that in this place he invokes Vespasian 
" himself; yet are those in an error who thence conclude that 
" the poem was written in the reign of Vespasian. He invokes 
*' Vespasian as an awful and consecrated being; already placed in 
*< such a situation as to be able to raise' the poet above mankind 
" and the cloudy earth; certainly in heaven. How could he raise 
" Valerius from the earth, if he himself remained still upon the 
*' earth ? He says besides", that when Vespasian should pour 
* s light around the pole, Domitian should consecrate the rites of 
* e gods to him, and temples to the Flavian Family. It cannot be 
" concluded he does not yet pour forth such light. Certainly 
?* when Valerius wrote these lines, Domitian, under the title of 
* c Augustus, had erected the temple to the Flavian Family: but 
" following the custom of poets, he speaks prophetically of 
?' things past, as if they were yet to come." 

Burman explains this passage very differently • « The power 
* e of the dative tibi, (he says) particularly expresses, that Titus, 
" under the auspices of his father (as his prsefect in Judea) and 
" in his honour and glory, should institute the worship of the 
*' gods, which the Jews were suspected of endeavouring to de- 
'.' stroy, wherever they could, and were believed, by the Romans 
«* and other nations to worship no divinity, whence by Florus 
" they are stiled the impious nation." He adds in another note : 
" Genti is here to be taken simply for the Judean nation : hence 
" the justness of the word Delubra; a name particularly given to 
*' such consecrated buildings as were before unknown to the 
*< Jews." And again, " Genti would be a harsh expression, if put 
*' simply for the Flavian Family.'''' 

Among these commentators I feel myself incompetent to 
decide, and have nothing more to do than to preserve the ambi- 
guity of the original sentence. 

2Y 



90 

Ver. 14. — Since Caledonia's waves. By this passage we are 
undoubtedly to understand the unsuccessful expeditions of the 
Julian Emperors, and particularly that of Julius Caesar, against 
Britain. The following expression of Florus, who wrote about 
fifty years after Flaccus, seems to be borrowed from this very 
passage, in describing the same event. M Et ulterius isset, nisi 
" improbam classem naiifragio castigasset occamis." That, in the 
invasion of Britain, Caesar was believed to have entirely failed 
and even to have suffered defeat, may be gathered from these lines 
of Lucan's : 

Oceanumque vocans incerti stagna profundi,; 
Tercita quaesitis osteudit terga Britannis. 

^^■^^ Lucas, ; Lib. II. 57 L 

The stagnant waters of a doubtful lake 
He calls the ocean ; and, in fearful flight, 
Shews to the Britons, whom with boasts he sought, 
His soldiers hasty backs. 

Ver. 21. — Thy son (for well he can). Domitian, afterwards 
so cruel a tyrant, distinguished himself in his youth by his love 
of learning, and particularly of poetry. Pliny, in one of his 
prefaces, has these words addressed to Domitian : " Quanta tu 
** ore patris laudes tonas ! quanto frafris armas ! quantus in 
" poelicaes/" "■ With what eloquence dost thou thunder the 
" praises of thy father 1 with what eloquence the victories of thy 
" brother ! In poetry how illustrious art thou ! " Quintilian, in 
the tenth book of his Institutes, says " The care of the world 
*' diverted Germanicus Augustus (a title assumed by Domitian) 
" from the studies he had commenced ; nor did it appear proper 
** to the gods that he should become the most eminent of alt 
" poets. What can be more sublime, more learned, in a word 
" more exquisitely correct in all its parts, than those very works 
" to which while a youth, exempt from the cares of empire, he 
«' devoted his mind. Who might celebrate wars more excellently 
" than he, who could so well conduct them ? Whose invocation 
" have the goddesses, who preside over learning, so attentively 
i( heard ? " Heinsius tells us that his uncle Johannes Rutgersius 
,was of opinion that the Aratca of Caesar Germanicus, which is yet 
extant, was the production of Domitian Germanicus, and not of 
that Germanicus, the son of Drusus, to whom Ovid dedicates his 
Fasti. And adds, that he recollects having seen a very ancient 
copy of the Aratea at Paris,, in which that poem was ascribed to 






91 

Domitian Caesar. The opening of the Aratea certainly supports 
this opinion : the poet addresses his father in a manner more 
suitable to Vespasian (after the general pacification of the Roman 
empire) than either to Drusus or Tiberius who adopted Caesar 
Germanicus, As a specimen of the Imperial poet's claim to those 
praises bestowed on him I shall here insert the commencement of 
the Aratea ; which is far from being inelegant 

Ab Jove principium magno deduxit Aratus 
Carminis, at nobis genitor tu niaximus autor 
Te veneror, tibi sacra fero ; doctique laboris 
Primitias ; prohat ipse deum rectorque satorque. 
Quantum etenim possiut an'ui certissima signa, 
Qua sol ardentem cancrum rapidissimus ambit, 
Diversasque secat metas gelidi capricorni. 
Quaeve aries et libra sequant divortia lucis ; 
Si non parte quies, te praeside, puppibus aquor, 
Cultorique daret terras, procul ai-va silerent : 
Nunc vocat audaces in ccelum tollere vultus, 
Sideraque et varios cceii cognoscere motus : 
Navita quid caveat, quid vitet doctus arator, 
Quando ratem ventis, aut credat semina terris, 
Hsec ego dum lsetis conor praedicere Musis. 
Pax tua tuque adsis nato, numeuque secundes. 

From mighty Jove begins Aratus' song ; 
But to thy name, O Sire, my lays belong. 
Thou my great author venerated be ! 
I bring these offerings, — consecrate to thee ! 
My studious toil's first-fruits, with filial love; 
Such may the king and sire of -heaven approve '. 
Although the year be marked with certain signs, 
Whether swift Sol in ardent Cancer shines, 
Or in dark Capricorn contracts his rays, "> 

Or from bright Aries, ar.d from Libra sways > 

The equal portions of the nights and days ; J 

Yet had net Peace, beneath thy awful reign, 
To ships bestowed the wide-expanded main, 
To husbandmen bestowed the fruitful earth, 
Silence, desponding 'mid pervasive dearth, 
Would leave unsung the heavens : now to the skies 
These bid us raise our bold, enquiring, eyes : 
To know the stars, the wandering fires, the sun ; 
What the experienced mariner should shun, 
What might the labouring husbandman misguide 
When to entrust the bark to winds or tide, 
Or to the furrowed field the corn confide : 
O, while these things, presumptuous, I recite. 
And to the theme each smiling Muse invite, 
Haste to thy son with sacred Peace, O Sire, 
And second all the godhead may inspire. 



1 



Ver. 22. — Idumcean plains. Idumsea or Idume ; a country to 
the south of Palestine, inhabited by the Edomites and Philistines* 
It's principal town was Gaza : it is here put for Judsea. 

Ver. 24.— falling Solyma. Solyma and Solymse were ancient 
names for Jerusalem. It was taken by Pompey, who on that ac- 
count assumed the name of Hierosolymarius. Titus destroyed it 
on the eighth of September A. D. 70. It is his famous siege of it 
which is alluded to in the poem, when 1 10,000 persons are said to 
have perished, besides 9700 who were made prisoners and wan- 
tonly exposed to wild beasts, or sold for slaves. It was rebuilt by 
the emperor iElius Adrianus and from his name called iElia, The 
Turks call it Chutz.s 

Ver; 31. — Less clear that radiant northern star. Two con- 
stellations called the bears, shine in the northern regions of the 
heavens, the smaller of which is called Cynosura, because it bears 
some resemblance to the bent tail of a dog : the greater is named 
Heiice from eAsf a circumvolution. Burman quotes a passage 
from Maniiius, who in common with almost all authors of anti- 
quity assigns Heiice as the guide of Grecian vessels, and Cynosura 
of the Tyrians ; but as Maniiius has almost literally translated 
Aratus, I shall give an English paraphrase of that passage of the 
tyaiiHi[At.to&» 

AvCi) &£ jAtV OC^fpU l^pO-Xt 

This two enormous forms of bears surround, 
Towards the fixed pole their shaggy backs are found, 
(Some in these stars depict a labouring team, 
To some a plough's more perfect shape they seem :) 
Inverted, with terrific mein, they move, 
By turns below the pole, by turns above : 
Still towards each other's horrid loins is spread 
The beamy radiance of each fearful head ; 
While upwards turned (incredible !) they roll, 
Hurled by their shaggy shoulders round the pole. 
To them by mighty Jove this grace was given, 
From Crete he called them to his splendid heaven * 
Remindful that within a fragrant cave, 
Where mossy streams the sides of Ida lave, 
Dictssan swains preserved him when a child, 



93 

And Saturn of his tender prey beguiled.': 

For a.whole year remained the infant Jove, 

Concealed and nourished in the Cretan grove. 

Hence, for such care, their starry seats they cla.'m, 

This Helice, that Cynosura named : 

In Helice the venturous Greeks confide, 

O'er the wide waves her beams their vessels guide 3 

But Cynosura the Phoenicians gave 

To plough with fearless keels the dangerous wave. 

Amid the stars that earliest grace the night* 

Fair Helice emits her friendly light, 

While. Cynosura, tho' with fainter rays, 

Around the north her smaller orbit strays, 

Her certain beams more skilful pilots mark, 

And steer securely the Sydonian bark. 

Ver. 40. Latium shall then, 8f-c* Latium seems here to be put 
not only for all Italy, but for the whole Roman Empire. Latium 
antiquum comprehended no more than a small portion of territory 
between the Tiber and mount Circaeum, a promontory now called 
Circello. Latium novum or magnum extended farther south, and 
comprehended many of the conquered Italian nations. Ovid de- 
rives the word from Latere to lie hid ; because Saturn concealed 
himself in Italy, when expelled by Jupiter flora Heaven. 

Inde din genti mansit Saturnia nomen : 
Dicta qucque est Latium terra, latente Beo. 

— -^^^ Ovid. Fast. Lib. I. 257. 

Saturnia long this nation's name remained, 
Which Latium, from the hidden god, retained. 

Ver. 41 » — From his Jirst years the reign of Pelias, fyc. Pelias 
was the son of Neptune by Tyro the daughter of Salmoneus. 
Apcllodorus relates that Tyro was enamoured of the deity of the 
river Enipeus, in whose figure Neptune enjoyed her. Her off- 
spring were twins, whom she brought forth privately, and exposed 
in a place where some herdsmen passing on horseback, the face 
of one of the infants was crushed and became livid ; hence the 
name of Pelias was given him, from the Doric word nitia., while 
the other was called Neleus. Cretheus having built the city of 
Iolcos married his neice Tyro, the daughter of Salmoneus and the 
mother of Pelias : by her he had JEson, Amythaon and Pheres. 
Jason was the son of iEson and Alcimede (or, according to Apol- 
lodorus, of Polymede, the daughter of Autolicus). Pelias, by 
the machinations of his mother Tyro, became possessed of the 



94 

throne of Cretheus at lolchos, at a very early age, to the exclusion 
of iEson, the just inheritor, as the real son of Cretheus, Ever 
uneasy in the possession of a sceptre which belonged to another* 
he endeavoured to keep Jason, the enterprising son of iEson, at a 
distance from his court, and wearied the oracles with his encuii 
ries into futurity. He-was warned by the priestess of Apoilo to 
beware of the man who wore but one shoe. It happened soon 
after that Juno to avoid the wrath of Jupiter, for her concern in 
the conspiracy of the giants, was endeavouring, in the form of 
an ancient matron, to pass the river Enipeus (or Anaurus) which 
had overflown its banks, Nobody would assist her except Jason, 
who conveyed her across the stream. In so doing he lost one of 
his shoes in the muddy bank of the river, and appeared at the 
sacrifice which Pelias was offering to Neptune with one foot bare. 
The consequences of his being seen by the monarch in a state so 
conformable to the admonition of the oracle, were the voyage to 
Colchos, and its occurrences : a measure devized by the supersti* 
tious usurper for the destruction of his nephew. Apoilonius 
opens his poem with a particular account of this prediction and 
the incident attached to it. 

Tli' obscure prediction waked his jealous hate, 
With doubtful warnings of untimely fate. 
" A youth unshod amid the crowd appears, 

" Cause of thy ruin, subject of thy fears. " - 

Object of terror, accident supplied, 

To point suspicions that had wandered wide. 

The hallowed banquet was to Neptune given, 

And all the immortal habitants of heaven, 

Save one :— With bold contempt, the wife of Jove 

Selected seemed, the irreverent slight to prove. 

To Juno, Goddess of Pelasgic ground, 

Nor vows are paid, nor pealing hymns resound. 

To join the festive rites, with eager haste, 

As youthful Jason o'er Anaurus past, 

His sandal swallowed by the impetuous flood, 

Unshod before the king, the stripling stood. &c. &c. 

Preston's Transl. B. I. 8. 

Ver. 42. — Hcemonia. A country of Greece afterwards called 
Thessaly. 

Ver. 55. — JEsori's great son. Jason : see note on verse 41 . It 
will be admitted that Valerius introduces his hero with much 
more dignity than Apollonius does. The discourse of Pelias and 



Ihe anxiety of Jason which immediately follow, give that dramatic 
animation to the commencement of the poem which has been so 
much admired in the first book of the Iliad. 

Ver. 7 b — How Phrixus of our own Cretkcean race. " The 
fable here touched upon is the following. Athamas the son of 
Molus, brother of Cretheus, and uncle of JEson and Pelias, had 
by his wife Nephele, two children, Phrixus and Hclle ; but Ne- 
phele being changed into a cloud, he afterwards married Ino the 
daughter of Cadmus. She, as step-mother, detesting the former 
children of her husband, persuaded the Molian women to parch 
the corn before it was committed to the earth. The ground being 
thus sown with grain, in which the vegetable principle was de- 
stroyed, remained unfruitful, and a grievous famine ensued. On 
this account messengers were sent to the oracle of Apollo, who, 
being corrupted by the gifts of Ino, reported that the sacred res- 
ponse devoted both Phrixus and Helle to be sacrificed. Athamas 
long resisted this dreadful decree, but being compelled by the 
wants of his people, he gave up his children to be slaughtered 
before the altar. Then Nephele* their mother, encircling them 
in her cloud, commanded them to escape, and gave them a ram, 
the fleece of which was gold, by which they were carried across 
the sea. But Helle, not sitting carefully on the ram, fell into the 
waves and gave her name to the Hellespont, or Sea of Helle. Phrixus 
however was carried to Cohhos, where he sacrificed the ram hi the 
temple of Mars, which, according to Diodorus Sicuhis, he did in 
compliance with the admonition of the oracle." 

E notis Ludov. Carrionis. 

Ver. 73. — Where fierce Rites reigns. Sol (or the Sun) is said to 
have had by the nymph Perse, three children : Perses, Circe, and 
Metes. Perses reigned in Taurica (now called little Tartary) and 
Metes in Colchos (now called Mingrelia). Circe was married to a king 
of Sarmatia, whom having destroyed by poisonous drugs, she fled to 
Italy, to the promontory and mountain since named Circceus, and 
now called Cape Cercello. Hyginus relates that Metes at first re- 
ceived Phrixus with kindness and gave him to wife Chalciope his 
daughter : but being terrified by the responses of many oracular sa- 
crifices, which unanimously declared that he must beware of a 
stranger descended from Molus, he put Phrixus to death. The 
sons of Phrixus were Argus, Phrontis, Melas > and Cijtisorus. 



96 

Ver. 100. — Cyanean shores. These were two rocks near the 
entrance of the Black Sea, otherwise called the Symplegades. They 
are said by the poets to clash against each other, and to be in con-* 
tinual motion. Probably the general appearance of two rocks near 
each other, which when seen in different points of view, from a ves- 
sel in motion, would seem to meet or retire from each other may 
have given rise to this fable. And it is not impossible that shoals of 
ice may have been driven down the northern rivers into the Black 
Sea. They are thus described in the Medea of Seneca. 

Cum duo montes, 

Claustra profundi, hinc atque Mine 
Subito impulsu, velut sethereo 
Gemerent sonitu ; spargeret astra 
Nubesque ipsas mare depiensum. 
Palluit audax Tiphys, et omnes 
Labcnte manu misit habenas : 
Orpheus tacuit torpente lyra; 
pie vocem perdidit Argo. 



When Ocean's gates, two mighty rocks, 

Clashing in loud terrific shocks ; 

And o'er the roaring billows driven, 

Were beard like sounds that shake the heaven y 

The waves compressed in foam arise, 

Sprinkling the clouds and starry skies. 

Tiphys, the daring Tiphys, pale 

Forsook the rudder, loosed the sail : 

Dumb Orpheus struck a faultering lute, 

And Ai-go, tongued by fate, was mute. 

Lat. Ver. 6?. Nunc aerii plantaria vellet. This passage ig 
closely imitated from Ovid. Tristia III. El. 8. 

Nunc ego Triptolemi cuperem conscendere currus, 

Misit in ignotam qui rude semen humuin : 
Nunc ego Medea; vellem frenare dracones, 

Quos habuit fugrens arce, Corinthe, tua : 
Nunc ego jactandas optarem sumere pennas, 

Sive tuas, Perseu ; Da?.dale, sive tuas : 
Vt tenera, nostris cedente volatibus aura, 

Adspicerem patriae dulce repente solum : 
Desertse domus vultum, memoresque sodales, 

Caraque prascipue conjugis ora mihi. 

O that I might his chariot now obtain, 

Who the first corn in unknown furrows shed : 

O that I might Medea's dragons rein, 

With which, O Corinth, o'er thy towers she fled : 



: 97 



O that I might those boasted pinions wear, 

Which/Perseus, thee,— thee Bcedalus, could raise - } 

Swift wouM I tread the softly-yielding air, 

And on my country, my loved country gaze ! 

View, fondly view, my long-deserted door, 

View my dear friends, who now my 

And thee, O spouse beloved, behold 



1 door, ^ 

loss deplore, > 
1 once more ! J 



Ovid had made use of nearly the same lines tefore in the Amor. Ill 
12. but there the application was not so pathetically beautiful. In- 
deed, in writing these, he seems to have hnd his former composition 
strongly in his mind, and the contrast of his situation has given a 
strength to this Elegy, superior to almost any other part of the 
Tristia. 

Perseus was the son of Jupiter and Danat. Mercury gave him 
"a sword, and wings to wear on his feet ; and Minerva gave him the 
JEgis or brazen shield, on which he fixed the head ox Medusa. He 
delivered Andronreda from the sea-monster sent to devour her. 

Ceres bestowed the gift of immortality on Triptolcmus the 
eldest son of Celeus, king of the Eleusinians; Having prepared a 
chariot for him, drawn by flying dragons, she gave him the seed of 
wheaten corn, with which in his aerial progress, he might sow the 
whole earth. 

Ver. 123. — The armour clashing maid. Minerva* otherwise 
called Pallas. 

Lat. Ver. 77- — Gloria : te viridem, fyc. This beautiful and ani- 
mated passage is one of those which raise Valerius Flaccus to the 
highest rank as an original poet: for this he is unindebted to any 
of his predecessors, while Statius hath closely imitated it in his 
Thebais, and Silius Italicus says of Glory " longo revirescit in cevo. 
No author ever produced a more elegant figure, a more lovely proso- 
popeia : it is just as prominent as such an ideal character ought to 
be, and possesses all the life of nature without the confused form, 
which has been too justly objected against allegorical figures in 
general; and from which neither the Fama of Virgil, nor the Somnus 
of Ovid are entirely free. 

Ver. 134. — Almighty Queen? ichen Jove. See note on Ver. 41.' 

Ver. 148.— And herds with beamy horns enriched with gold. 
Zingerlingus, in his note on this passage of the original, adduces 

2Z 



98 

many authorities to prove that the custom of gilding the horns of 
the victims, which were to be sacrificed, was both ancient and ex- 
tensive. Among his other quotations I select the following, which 
is in the Romanus of Prudentius, as a curious and elegant descrip- 
tion of a victim adorned for the altar. 

Hue taurus ingens, fronte torva et hispida, 
Sertis revinetus, aut per armos fioridis 
Aut impeditus cornibus deducitur ; 
Nee non et auro frons coruscat hostise, 
Setasque fulgor bractealis inficit. 

Here a huge bull with rough and curling head, 

Where woven boughs their verdant honours spread ; 

O'er whose broad horns the wavy chaplets play, 

Float o'er his shoulders,, and impede his way, 

Is slowly led : while the bright gold bestows 

Its radiant lustre on the victim's brows. 

And starry spangles o'er his shaggy hide, 

With showery radiance, stream down either side. 

Ver.>151. — Tritonia. A name of Minerva, from the lake Tri* 
tonis near which her first temple was built by Ogyges, 

Ver. 152. — Her favoured Argus from the Thespian walls. It 
is disputed whether the builder of the Argo was Argus the Thespian, 
or Argus the son of Phrixus. Our author makes Jason find alt the 
sons of Phrixus at i'olchos. Apollonius describes the Argonauts 
meeting with them in a desert Island named* Aretias ; but Apollodorus 
says that Jason, being sent on this expedition, invited Argus, the son 
of Phrixus to accompany him, who by the instructions of Minerva, 
constructed a vessel of fifty oars, which he named after himself the 
Argo. By the testimony of Dionysius the Mitylensean, and others, 
it appears that Crion, the companion of Phrixus, gave his name, 
(which in Greek signafies a Ram) to the vessel which conveyed them 
to Colchos. There Phrixus, after having established himself, fell a 
victim to the jealousy of the king, whose daughter he had espoused, 
when his son Argus escaping and arriving in Thessaly, gave such 
information to Pelias as induced him to fit out another expedition. 
It would then be natural for Jason to seek for information and as- 
sistance from a person so lately arrived from Colchos ; and to confide 
in his nautical talents, although it might not have been politic to 
have entrusted any command to one so nearly related to the monarch, 
whom they were going to attack, — There were three cities named 



99 

Tliespice. One in Boseoiia built by Thespias, the son of Theutrias : 
another in Thessaly ; and a third in Sardinia. The second is sup- 
posed to have been the birth place of Argus. 

Lat. Ver. 10,5- Visi iaude canunt manifesto in lumine Fauni, Sec. 
In this passage Valerius Flaccus has imitated Apollonius ; but with 
that genuine judgment of genius, which is called true Taste, has 
conceived a different and more animated application of the circum- 
stances. The Alexandrian makes all the Gods and Goddesses, to- 
gether with, the nymphs and Fauni, behold with pleasure the sailing 
«ftheArgo. Flaccus, here, describes the Fauni, Dryads and River 
deities as the heralds of Juno, inciting the inhabitants of Greece to 
this expedition, by which means he elevates the action by rendering 
these deities not merely spectators but agents in it. And, again at 
verse 490, he introduces the greater Divinities beholding the course 
of the vessel, while Jove, with awful dignity, explains how the fate 
of future empires depends upon the opening of the ocean to man- 
kind. 

Ver. 175. — Tirynthius. A name for Hercules, from the place 
of his birth, near the river Tiryns in the Peloponnesus. Argos is 
called the Inachian town from Inachus the first king of the Argives. 

Lat. Ver. 110. — Gestat Hylas, S;c . This beautiful description of 
the youthful companion of Hercules, has been much admired by all 
the critics and imitated by Statins in Thebais V. 441. 

Au.det iter, magnique scqueus vestigia rnutat 
Herculis, et tarda quamvis se mole ferentem 
Vix cursu tener equal Hylas, Lernaeaque tollens 
Arraa, sub ingenti gaudet sudare pharetra. 

He dared the journey, and, elate in hope, 
Would with the steps of great Aleides cope : 
The mighty hero marched with shorter stride,. 
While tender Hylas lingered from his side ; 
Who, the Lernaean arms, delighted, bore ; 
Panting beneath the quiver's massy store. 

Ver. 183. Saturnia. Juno so called from her father Saturn, 
as Jupiter is often called Saturnius. Her " long accustomed 
plaints" are well known to every reader of poetry or mythology, 
Eurystheus appointed many tasks or Labours to Hercules : he was 
the son of Sthenelus and Archippe ; and because it was ordained by 



100 

Themis that the child first born on the day destined to the bivth 
of Hercules should rule all other mortals, Jw.io hastened the nativU 
ty of Eurystheus, and thereby gave him dominion over Hercules. 

Ver. 208- — Pallas the pencil's, 8fc. The subjects of the paint-t 
ings with which Valerius has supposed" the Argo to be adorned are 
very happily chosen. By the first the Argonauts are encouraged in 
their undertaking, since they are shewn the alliance between one of- 
their confederates and a goddess of the ocean : in the other they are 
presented with a representation of one of the most celebrated con-? 
tests of antiquity, in which many of themselves, as well as their fa- 
thers were concerned. Peleus espoused Thetis the daughter of- 
Nereus, for whom Jupiter and Neptune had before contended. But 
when Themis prophesied that a son should, be born of Thetis who 
would surpass his father in paver, Jupiter is said to have desisted' 
from his intended espousals. The Lapithae were a people of 
Thessaly, who first reduced horses to obedience. Hence Virgil 
in the Georgics Frcena Pelethronii Lapithcs, Sfc. The famous con-;, 
tention between the Centaurs and Lapithce arose at the marriage 
of Perithous with Hippodamia. 

It is probable that Valerius took the idea of the ornaments of; 
the Argo from Hesiod's shield of Hercules or from Homer s shield of 
Achilles. But instead of the more general picture of Hymenccal 
rites, our author has selected the marriage of Peleus and Thetis as 
more appropriate to his subject. In the 'Ac-ttk 'HpaxAe't;? the dolphins 
are thus beautifully described, and Flaccus. seems to have had these 
lines immediately in his recollection ; 

Il&AXot yzftzv a.{A.picrov uvrx 

As7\<p7tisi; rrt y.ou rn b'B'vveov l^Bvaonrei;, 
Nyj^ojt/,£!(oK t;'-sAoi. Aojoi o a.vsc^vaiouvrs';,, 

TbJV V7TQ •VO.'hV-lWI, TgSOl) i^Bvi^. 

In the mid-stream hmumerous dolphins play, 

Dart thro' the waves and seize their finny prey : 

Now here, now there, they softly seem to glide, 

Then bound refulgent on the mimic tide. 

Two, in bright silver, breathe forth sparkling showers, 

As each, tyrannic, the mute race devours : 

In shoals of brass, the silent fishes flow, 

And pant and struggle near the ruthless foe. 



101 

In the contention between the Centaurs and the Lapitktz, Hesiod 
has the following lines ; which, if Flaccus recollected, he hath very 
much improved by adhering more closely to the description given by 
Ovid. 

'A^yjgEoi, x^vas a.*; l7\a.r<x.q ev %egotv zyovxw;* 
Kai te (7vva.ix.rriv utrA Qoi'oy tte^ iovreg, 
'Ey%£<7iv vo IXccTfii avroa-^ioov uj^yvoJvTo, 

Silver themselves, in warlike hands they hold 
Their beamy javelius wrought in polished gold : 
As if alive, with fury they contend, 
And spears aud lances in the tumult blend. 

Ver. 215. — Her follow Panope and Dotofair 

And Galatea, 5fc. -** 

Panope, Doto, and Galatea were three Nereids, daughters of Nere* 
us and Doris. The story of Acis and Galatea is too well known to 
need repetition in this place, The allusion is particularly directed 
to the 1 ith Idyliium of Theocritus; in which it is said that Polyphe-t 
hi us, the Cyclops 

Hgoc.ro o ten guoou;, ii pu^ou; tsol VM\voi%, 
A/\A oAoai? jj,ae,'Aan; ccyuro ol ttuvtcc Trccgegya,. 

UoX\afzi tou oieq Kbli ruivhiov avrcci kitr^ov 

XAf^a? ly. (3oTxfva,c. o o\ ra,v TocXafrticcv zte'toajv, 

Avtoi E7T u.'iov<&-> -/iGiT£T;CL H.&T0 (pvy-toeaavis 

? Ef '«£?, &C 

He, not with roses, nor with ruddy fruit, 
Nor fond endearing gifts expressed his love, 
But in pernicious fury, vague and wild ! 
Oft from the verdant pastures would his flock 
Stray to their pens uutended, while he lay, 
Long after sun-set, on the weedy beach, 
His arid cheeks, all sickly aad consumed. 
Singing his Galatea. 

Ver. 225. — Mount Pholae. A mountain of Thessaly, 

Ver. 240. — The son o/Mson. Our author loses no opportunity to 
introduce some trait of the character of his principal personage. Ja- 
son is rather thoughtful than rash ; more determined than enterpviz- 
ing : he is intrepid, but he does not act before he deliberates. He is 
a younger Ulysses; and we are not surprised if his caution sometimes 
degenerates into cunning, and his spirit of enterprize into artifice. 
This, in surveying society, we shall perceive to be often the case ; 



■ 102 

and in drawing a hero, our author does not forget that he is drawing 
a in an. 

Ver. 947' — Him from his father s anxious arms, fyc. It must be 
acknowledged that the character of Jason contains many traits of 
duplicity: our author seems aware that the man whose principal 
actions are to depend on enchantment and the assistance of a woman ; 
who purchases his safety by treacherous assassination : and whose 
whole life, as it is related in mythology, seems a tissue of artful 
rather than magnanimous actions, was not to be made a model of 
perfection. Human, not ideal nature, should be the object of the 
poet* Homer has no such monstrous delineation as a perfect human 
character, and we admire the iEneas of Virgil more in his faults 
than his piety. Apollonius seems desirous to elevate his hero above 
his actions: but the attempt -is vain: our knowledge of human 
nature rejects the ideal being* and we shudder at a good man com* 5 
mitting so much evil. Valerius Fiaccus makes his hero intrepid but 
cunning; he dignities him with authority and courage; but gives 
him artifice, pride, and the desire of revenge. He does not want a 
great, or a good man,, but the principal agent in an enterprize, in 
which foresight and prudence sustained by resolution, must be more 
necessary and more natural than exalted and romantic magnanimity. 
Mr. Preston, who, in the preface and notes to his translation of 
Apollonius Rhodius, seems determined to throw the poem of Valerius 
Fiaccus into the scale of contempt, certainly lessens the estimate of 
his own critical abilities in the following sentence. " Valerius Fiaccus 
*' deprives Acastus of the praise of generosity and courage, and cle- 
" grades the character of Jason, hishero, by an imputation of mean ar- 
" tirice, and deliberate malice; for he makes the leader prevail on his 
*' companion to join him,, by earnest solicitations, and, in some mea- 
*' sure to trepan him on board ; and he ascribes the anxiety of Jason, 
" to enrol Acastus among his followers, not to friendship, or a real 
64 wish for his assistance, so much, as to a principle of revenge and 
" malice, a desire of wounding the heart and paternal feelings of 
*' Pelias, by drawing the son to share the dangers of the perilous 
" voyage ordained by the father." Mr. P. does not here perceive 
that the Jason of Valerius Fiaccus is not a mere paper figure cut out 
for a romance, but a human being ; and not the best of a race which 
abounds not in those that are good. Surely Acastus instead of being 
deprived of the praise of generosity and courage, is furnished with a 
pretence for leaving his parent and uniting himself, contrary to his 
Jilial duty, with the victim of his father's hatred. The emotions 



103 

excited by the artful speech of Jason, increase rather than diminish 
Our affection for Acastus : we admire the warmth of youth in the one, 
while we do not condemn, what Mr. P. calls, the treachery of the 
other, because we are conscious that both are correctly natural; 
and because we cannot but acknowledge that, if the paternal 
feelings of such a wretch as Pelias can be roused, they deserve to 
participate in the pangs which he inflicts on so many parents. 

Ver. 0,54. — Jove's thunder-hearer. It is remarked by one of 
the commentators (Ludovicus Carrio) that this omen resembles that 
in the twelfth book of the iEneid, where Juturna deceives the Rutilj 
with a false augury, 

Namque volans rubra fsilvcs Jovis ales in sethra, 
Litoreas agitabat aves, turbamque sonantera 
Agminis aiigeri : subito cum lapsus ad undas 
Cycnuni excelleatem pedibus rapii improbus uncis. 
Arfexere amnios Itaii : cu-nctaque volucres 
Convertunt clamore fugam (mirabile visa) 
iEtheraque obscurant pennis, hostemque per auras 
Facta uube prcmunt : donee vi victus et ipso 
Pondere deficit, prtedamque ex unguibus ales 
Projecit fluvio, penitusque in nubila fugit. 

For, sudden, in the fiery tracts above, 
Appears in pomp, lb.' imperial bird of Jove : 
A plump of fowl he spies, that swim the lakes ; 
And o'er their heads his sounding pinions shakes. 
Then stooping on tlie fairest of the train, 
In his strong talons trussed a silver swan. 
Th' Italians wonder at th' unusual sight; 
But while he lags, and labours in his flight. 
Behold the dastard fowl return anew ; 
And with united force the foe pursue : 
Clamorous around the royal hawk they fly, 
And thick'ning hf a cloud, o'ershade the sky : 
They cuff, they scratch, they cross his airy course; 
Kor can th' incumbered bird sustain their force : 
But vex'd and vanquished drops the ponderous prey ; 
And, lightened of his burthen, wings his way. 

Dryden's Transl. 

Yer. Q6Q.—Canthu$, Telamon, fyc, These are Argonauts. See 
£he catalogue commencing with verse 544, 

Ver. 280. — What various nations, fyc. The chorus of the second 
Set of Seneca's Medea concludes with a prophecy of the discoveries 



104 

which may be made by future navigators. This the Spanish Jesuits 
interpreted to be a prediction of the discovery of America by the 
seamen of Spain under Columbus, thus predicted by a poet who 
was a native of Spain. Abraham Ortelius, also, (according to Far- 
naby) declares that this sentence is not to be taken with a reference 
to that unknown world mentioned by Plato in the Phsedo, but 
rather to the discovery of America by the Spaniards, The words of 
Seneca are 

Venieiit annis 

Secnla seris, quib'ns Oceanus 

Vincula rerum laxet, et irigeris 

Pateat tellus, Tiphysque novos 

Betegat orbes, nee sit terris 

Utima Thule. 

The time 'miJ distant ages shall arrive, 

When Ocean shall expand his farthest gates 

To all the nations, and display a land, 

Wide spread with shores immense : A Tiphys then 

Shall, with bold prow discover a new world, 

And Thule shall no longer be to man 

The farthest limit of the verdant Earth. 

Ver. 295. — Sibift at his voice the Minyce. After reciting' the 
names of the companions of Jason, Hyginus.says. " All these were 
" called Minya?, either because most of them were the offspring of 
" the daughters of Minyas, or because Clymene* the mother of 
" Jason was a daughter of Minyas." 

" The associates of Jason were called Minyse, either from the 
" lands of that name belonging to the lolchians, or because many 
'• of the descendants of Minyas united themselves to Jason; or 
" else because one of the Minyeides was the maternal grandmother 
%e of Jason." Servius as quoted by Vossius. 

Lat. Ver. 184. — At ducis imperils, $c* This description of the 
launching of the Argo is short but animated. Let it be compared 
with that of Apollonius, where much of the poetry evaporates id 
tedious detail. A poet seizes prominent incidents, and leaves mecha- 
nical description to the engineer. 

Ver. 300. — And Orpheus strikes, Sfc. Of Orpheus some men- 
tion has been made in the preface : see also note at verse 554. In 



Clvmene was the mother of Alcimede, who was the mother of Jason. 



105 

the Argon autica attributed to Orpheus, the Argo is launched 
by the power of his melody. 

Ver. 308. — Glaucus. Glaucus a deity of the Ocean. His 
transformation from a simple fisherman to a sea^divinity is related 
in the 13th book of the Metamorphoses* 

Ver. 327- — Then lo ! by all tV inspiring god possessed. The 
description of the inspired Sibyl in the sixth Mneid probably led 
our author to this fine delineation of an inspired prophet. Virgil 
throughout that book, surpasses all his other compositions, and bids 
defiance to imitation. How exquisitely terrific is the following pas- 
sage : 

Ventum erat ad limen, Cum virgo : Poscere fata 

Tempus, ait : Deus, ecce, Deus. Cui talia fanti 

Ante fores, subito 11011 vultus, 11011 color unus, 

Non comptee mansere comae : sed pectus anhelum, 

Et rabie fera corda tument ; majorque videfi, 

Nee mortale sonaus : aifiata est nuaiine quando 

Jam propiore Dei. 

Now to tbe mouth tliey come : aloud she cries, 

This is the time, enquire your destinies. 

He comes, behold the god ! Thus while she said, 

(And shivering at the sacred entry staid) 

Her colour changed, her face was not the same, 

And hollow groans from her deep spiiit came. 

Her hair stood up ; convulsive rage possessed 

Her trembling limbs, and heaved her labouring breast. 

Greater than human kind she seemed to look : 

And with an accent, more than mortal, spoke. 

Her staring eyes with sparklieg fury rowl ; 

When all the god came rushing on her soul. 

Dry den's Transl. 

Flaccus without directly imitating his great predecessor, has endea- 
voured to express those terrors which must fill the imagination of 
any poet, in reading the description of the Sibyl and her ensuing 
prophecy : he has caught, rather than conceived, the idea of a 
prophet possessed by the divinity, and giving vent to the prophetic 
spirit : he has less grandeur ; less imposing awe ; less solemn mag- 
nificence ; but he still raises our terror and astonishment ; and in the 
dark enunciation of future events, he possesses more shadowy pic- 
ture, though not the deep and masterly outline of Virgil. 
3 A 



ma 

Lat.Ver. 194. — O qui spumantia nutu, Sfc, Many authors have 
been desirous of imitating that passage in Homer where the nod of 
Jupiter is described with so much sublimity. 

V H, y.a.i, y.vx.vtriO-1) Iw o<p^vai vbvctb Kpoviuv 

Kt*T^? «w a&a/'aVoKJ* yeyav ceAeAi^ej/ OT^vyTfoy. 

He spoke, and avvful bends Lis sable brows ; 
Shakes bis ambrosia! curls, and gives the nod j 
The stamp of fate, and sanction of a god : 
High Heaven with trembling-, the dread signal took, 
And all Olympus to the centre shook. 

Pope's Transl. 

Rollin observes that Virgtl x Ovid, and Horace seem to have di-. 
vided these three lines of Homer among them, " Virgile s'en est 
" tenu au signe de tete ; Ovid a l'agitation des cheveux, et Horace 
" au movement des sourcils." 

Flaccus in this passage ascribes the nod to Neptune, and eon~ 
fines the effects of it to the ocean, „ In the third book he introdu-* 
ces the calm and pacific power of this awful signal of Jupiter with 
great magnificence. 

Turn pater omnipotens tempus, jam rege pei-emto, 
Flectere fata ratus, miserasque abrumpere pugnas 5 
Supremam celeravit opem : nu tuque sereno 
Intonuit : quem Nocte satee, quern turbidus hoiret 
Arraipotens. Tunc porta trucis coit infera belli. 

(The monarch slain) th' Almighty Father straight 
Perceives it time to change the course of Fate j 
From wretched strife the bands confused release, 
And hasten the conclusive hours of peace. 
With nod serene he thunders thro' the skies, 
That nod, which every child of darkness flies, 
That nod, which turbid Mars, abhorrent, knows * 
Instant, the infernal gates of slaughter close ! 

Ver. 310. — Then thus the Father of the leaves adores. This ad-* 
dress to Neptune is finely conceived and far surpasses that in Apollo- 
nius, where Jason, on the same occasion, prays to Apollo for 
protection, Apollonius in insisting upon the oracles of Ph&bus as 
the causes of the voyage, venders its accomplishment the work of 
fate and thereby lessens the courageous spirit of its adventurers; 



lot 

%hile Flacccs in making Jason ascribe it to the cowardly interpreta* 
tiou of those oracles by Fellas, not only preserves the interesting 
idea of enterprize, but leaves all the difficulties of the ocean to be 
■•surmounted by his heroes. 

Lat. Ver. 202. — Ilium ego. Flaccus has been admired for the 
artful eloquence of the speeches and prayers, which he has put 
into the mouth of Jason. This address to Neptune is natural, 
delicate, and interesting.. The Ilium ego — is a fine instance of the 
expression of repressed feeling; it is certainly an imitation of the 
Quos ego — in the first book of the iEneid ; but there the threat and 
not the anger is repressed. The sudden break of the sentence in 
Virgil, shews only the impatience of Neptime to quiet the storm; 
but here contempt and indignation are stifled, out of respect to the 
Deity who is addressed. The hero is raised, and his enemy, Pelias, 
is proportionably sunk in the estimation of the reader. In the 
vantanrlo tu ilium f of the third Eclogue, which has been quoted as 
similar to the Quos ego, the word vicisti is simply understood, and 
the expression of contempt would not be lessened by supplying it. 
Flaccus uses this figure with great advantage to express impatience 
in the sixth book, where Medores, on seeing his brother slain by 
Castor, exclaims to the gods, as he attacks the victor, 

Hunc— -age !-~vel cseso comitem me reddite fratri ! 
Him— quick '.—or give me to my brother's corse ! 

Ver. 346. — -Why with green reeds doth beauteous Hylas braid. 
Cui non dictus Hylas puer ? Who has not heard of Hylas ? exclaims 
Virgil at the commencement of the third book of the Georgics. His 
story is too well known to need repetition. The Idyl of Theocritus, 
in which the rape of this lovely boy by the nymphs of a fountain is 
described, is among the most esteemed of his productions. 

Avru •&' ' HpcLy.Kn'i cti urtptpii' TiKafAUvt, &C. 

One grassy turf their table, Hercules 
With Telamon, their humble supper took ; 
While Hylas whose bright curls, of yellow hue, 
Flowed o'er his forehead, with an ample vase 
Of ponderous metal, sought a limpid stream. 



108 

Within a gentle valley he perceived 

A bubbling fountain : round it numerous boughs 

Shed their thick shade; the fig-tree's swarthy leaves^. 

And maiden-hair, with pendant knots of green j 

Light parsley waving wide its slender sprigs, 

And many a herb, luxuriant, winding round. 

In the mid-water danced the sparkling nymphs, 

Fair Exmica, and, with the apple's bloom, 

Blithe Malis, and Nyclaea, whose fond eyes, 

Unclosed, for ever watch the steps of spring. 

Scarce had the beauteous youth dipped his big uriv. 

Within the gurgling waves, when all the nymphs 

Seized on his snowy hand ; for all their souls 

Burnt with wild ardour for the Argive boy. 

As some bright star that long o'er-hung the main 

Drops al! at once from heaven, and, rapid, sinks, 

Extinguished in the billows, so beneath 

The shaded waters sunk the lovely youth. 

The voice of one exclaiming to the crew, 

" Resume, resume your oars ; the favouring wind 

" Pants in your sluggish sails," was heard afar : 

But the enraptured nymphs, with tender words, 

And kisses, and embraces, on their knees, 

Soothed and consoled the boy. 

In the sixth Eclogue of Virgil this incident is beautifully described,, 
but I do not recollect that any of his commentators have taken no- 
tice of that wonderful imitation of an echo, by the shortening of the 
second syllable of Hyla in the repetition or the word. To produce 
this effect, the poet takes advantage of a Grecism in shortening, but 
not suppressing a vowel before another. 

His adjungit Hylan nautaa quo fonte relic turn 
Clamassent : ut Hyla, Hyla omne sonaret. 

In the following line which occurs in the third book of this poem, 
Flaccus is said to have imitated the foregoing verse of Virgil. 

Rursus Hylan, et rursus Hylan per longa reclamat 
Avia. 

But here the exclamations of Hercules are marked by their long 
and deep repetition of monotonous sound. Flaccus has a different 
intention from Virgil ; presents a very different picture which is 
equally accurate ; and, in spite of verbal criticism, may claim, 
the meed of poetic diction, independent of his attachment to his 
great predecessor. 



109 

Ver. 36!.— But ivhen the strain Phcebcian Idmon. It is almost 
unnecessary to remark the beautiful contrast which the mild and 
consoling Idmon presents to the terrific strain of Mopsus, The skill 
of the poet is clearly demonstrable in this, and in his introduction 
of the pathetic forebodings of death, which the prophet observes 
amid the flames. The encouragement he gives to his companions, 
he cannot partake: the embraces of the friends whom they are quit-= 
ting and to which he incites them, are to be his last embraces of 
his friends : — the recollection of this overpowers him, and while he 
inspires his associates with that hope which he cannot partake, he 
bursts into tears ! 

Lat. Ver. 255. — Surrimo decurrens vertice Chiron. The beauty 
of this passage requires no comment : it is true to Nature, and he 
who reads must feel. Burman remarks an anachronism in making 
Achilles in existence before the Argonautic expedition, who was 
scarcely more than a youth at the Trojan war : but to set any of the 
ancient poets, except Homer, right jn chronology and geography 
would be an endless task, without the profit of improvement. 
Chiron* the Centaur, was the offspring of Saturn and Philyra, 
Being wounded accidently by one of the poisoned arrows of Hercu- 
les as that hero pursued some other Centaurs to his residence at 
Malaea, he desired to relinquish his immortality ; and was transfer-, 
red to the Zodiac, where he forms the sign of Sagittarius. He was 
tutor to many gods and heroes; and is said to have taught Apollo 
music, Esculapius medicine, and Hercules astronomy. " Sir Isaac 
** Newton reckons Chiron the Centaur the first who formed the stars 
\<' into constellations, about the time of the Argonautic Expedition, 
li or soon after ; and that the several forms or A&terisms were, as it 
*' were, so many symbolical histories or memorials of Persons and 
tl things remarkable in that affair. Thus Aries the Ram, is com^ 
" memorated for his golden Jieece, and was made the first of the 
" signs, being the ensign of the ship in which Phryxus fled to CoU 
" chis. Taurus, the bull with brazen hoofs tamed by Jason ; Ge* 
" mini, the twins, viz Castor and Pollux, tv/o of the Argonauts ; 
*' the ship Argo and Hi/drus. the dragon, 6cc, which all manifestly 
" relate to the affairs of that expedition, which happened about 
" forty or fifty years after Solomon s death. 

Martin's Philosop. Brit. 

Both Apollonius and Orpheus have mentioned this introduction 
of Achilles to the Argonauts and to his father Peleus. But perhaps 
peither of them can be said to equal this passage of our author, in. 



no , 

which paternal affection and infantile ardour are exquisitely depict* 
ed„ Apollouius is very succint; and trusts much more to his versi- 
fication, than to his expression of sentiment : Orpheus possesses a 
dignified simplicity, and a warmth of sensibility, which I would fain 
pourtray to the reader in the following translation. 

Then sacred morning, from the eastern main 

Uprising, with celestial hands unveil'd 

The misty shores : suffused with purple blush 

Aurora trod the golden bordered clouds, 

And lifted high the renovated light, 

The joy of gods and men ! — Pelion appeared 

Full on our course : his wnod-envellop 1 d sides, 

His crags and lofty rocks, his vapoury height, 

Tinged with pale radiance. Thither Tiphys steered 

With helm direct, and bade the slackened oars, 

Impel the Argo towaids the sloping coast. 

We touch the beach ; quick o'er the vessel's side 

Thrust the broad plank, aud seek the friendly strand. 

Here, as the heroic Minyse rest their limbs 

On the soft verdure^ Peleus thus addressed 

■The loitering throng : " My friends, do ye behold 

" That shadowy hill, projecting its green height 

" From the grey hollow, where yon mountain parts 

" His double summit ? Thither Chiron dsvells, 

'* In the rude arches of a mossy cave : 

" Chiron most just of all the Centaur host, 

" Who Pindus or mount Pholoe frequent. 

" Justice he studies, and that godlike art, 

" That quells the venomed force of dire disease i 

" The lyre of Hermes, and the rich-toned chord, 

" With which Apollo strung his sounding kite, 

" He, with aerial quill, melodious, sweeps. 

<l Nor less with winning eloquence he shews 

" What mortals owe to Justice ; what the due 

" That social order gives and claims from man, 

" So great his name that silvery Thetis took 

" Our new-born infant in her snowy arms, 

" And, Peliou's sides ascending;, bore the child 

" To Chiron's cav-:ra ; who, with tender care, 

" She knew would nourish, cultivate and love 

" The darling charge. So near the spot, my friends,, 

" Forgive me, if I long to see my boy ! 

" Say, shall we seek the cave, and there observe, 

" What generous habit, what display of mind, 

if What glow of spirit marks his infant years 

" With ardent promise ?" Towards the winding path; 

Tended his anxious footsteps as he spake. 

We followed •, and arriving at the cave, 

Hollow and vast, we saw the Centaur lie 



Ill 



Before his threshold on a mossy couch ; 

His shoulders resting 'gainst the jutting rock, 

While his fleet hoofs and all the semi-horse 

Were stretched on verdant herbage. By his side, 

The son of Thetis, young Pelides, stood, 

With light hand sweeping the resounding chords ; 

While Chiron, gazing on him as he played, 

Scarcely restrained his joy. Who, when he saw 

The heroic band of princes near his gate, 

Rose up to meet them, and with glad embrace, 

Welcomed their coming. Then the feast prepared. 

From purple flagons {lowed the rosy streams : 

And having strewn the humble seats with boughs, 

fie bade us sit. Aad now the plenteous fare 

In rustic dishes heaped the generous board -. 

The flesh of hunted boars and agile deer. 

Then grateful goblets of celestial wine 

He placed before us, till the mind itself 

Glowed conscious of the exhiSiratiug powers 

That blest the table. Then applausive hands, 

With jovial clamour, called on me to vie 

With Chiron in the melody of song. 

I hesitated, and the crimson blush, 

Pervasive, mantled o'er my burning cheek, 

That I, a youth, should emulate the sage; 

Till he himself besought me, and began 

The soft contention of alternate strains. 

The Centaur first, with loud symphonious touch, 

Awoke the ivory lyre, which the fond hands 

Of young Achilles, eager to attend, 

Delighted brought. He sung the dire defeat, 

When in unequal war the Centaurs fell, 

Before the Lapithae ; — expiring fell ! 

How when inflamed with maddening wine they rushed 

Against Alcides, 'till the hollow caves 

Around mount Pholoe howled with their disgrace. 

Then, after him, in turn, the lyre I took, 

And poured mellifluent desca:;t from my lips. 

'Twas then my mind conceived the awful hymn 

Of shadowy Chaos aud of vacant Night : 

What time the great eternal essence, Love 

Almighty ! first of beings J thro' the void 

Called forth the mingling elemental forms, 

The concave pole, with its astonished fires, 

ilose trembling ; the vast earth and the deep sea, 

Each with its own appointed forms of life ! 

For Love, in all the fullness of design, 

Came forth with wisdom to create ail things, 

Aud to divide whate'er it did create 

In kinds distinct, and destined to their place. 

Then sang I Saturn, awful, just, severe : 

And how. tremendous Jove, with thunder armed. 



IIS 

Obtained the imperial sceptre of the heavens. 
The sons of earth I sang : the league of gods i 
Impetuous Bacchus, vehement in war, 
And the dire actions of the Giant-host. 
With these, the origin of man I sang, 
While thro' the vocal cavern swelled the notes, 
And the soft throbbings of the trembling strings 
Rushed thro' the open hall, and filled the air 
With waves of melody. The lofty heights 
Of Pelion bent astonished at the souud : 
The hollow vale thro' all its shadowy wood, 
With murmuring wonder, shook its heavy boughs$ 
And the high oaks, attracted, rent the earth, 
Upheaving their deep roots : the savage herd, 
With softened howl submissive crouched around : 
The harsh and shrieking rock, with jarring tones, 
Slid iu loose fragments : while the feathered birds, 
Flocked to the Centaur's cave, their nests forgot, 
Dropping their flagging wings with wild delight. 
Chiron himself transported with the song, 
Gazed all-astonished, — smote his tremulous hands. 
And struck the sounding earth with restless hoof. 
At length with urgent orders Tiphys came, 
And summoned all the Minyse to the bark. 
Then ceased my song. The princely heroes rose, 
And each resumed his helm and beamy spear. 
Then Peletis, in his fond paternal arms 

Infolds his boy - * 

The gift Achilles with delight received 

And smiled thro' all his tears. The Centaur then 

Across my shoulders threw a panther's hide, 

And thus the honoured giver doubly graced 

The hospitable present. From the cave 

We straight departed, while the Centaur raised 

His venerable hands towards the heavens, 

And standing on a consecrated mound, 

Implored the gods to bless us with success, 

To grant the warrior-band a safe return ; 

And called down glory on the 'princes' names, 

Refulgent, beaming on their latest race. 

Ver. 430. — The Thracian smote his dulcet shell. Scaliger pre* 
fers the theme chosen by Flaccus for the song of Orpheus, to that 
assigned to the cliv ne bard by Apollonius. Flaccus indeed loses 
no opportunity of making his reader perfectly acquainted with all 
the circumstances relative to the expedition, and therefore, what- 



* Some lines are wanting here in the original, and probably they contained 
that beaautiful scene which Valerius Fh.cc us has so well imitated or supplied. 



113 

Jfever are the characteristics of those odes, which have descended to lis 
in the name of Orpheus, yet we may very well suppose that he was not 
so attached to his Theology, but that on an occasion like this, he could. 
suit his subject to the enterprize which the Argonauts were about to 
undertake. In his contention with Chiron, which I have translated 
from the Orphic Argonautica in the preceding note, the origin of 
the universe from the divine Eros, is excellently suited to the per- 
son to whom it is principally addressed : and in the numerous occa- 
sions, in the same poem, where the powers of Orpheus are rendered 
serviceable to the general cause, we find his song always suited to 
the incident. In insisting that the Orphic song should, in this 
place, be selected from the system of Cosmogony which Orpheus is 
said to have invented and promulgated, Mr. Preston shews an at- 
tachment to his author, which seems to savour somewhat more of 
the pedant, than the poet. Let him for a moment consider how 
little interest such a theme could possess over the minds of the hear- 
ers, at a moment, when their own great enterprize must have ab- 
sorbed their thoughts ; while the subject which Flaccus has put 
into the lips of Orpheus must have been highly gratifying to those, 
who were to pass the same seas as Phrixus had passed, and who were 
to obtain that fleece on which he had been conveyed. 

Ver. 465. — The vessel's guardian form. Our author has pre- 
pared us for this vision of the Argo, in the second verse of the poem; 
where he calls the vessel fatidicam ratem. The appearance of the 
tutelary form is truly great, but there is nothing beyond what is 
often met with in other ancient poets. It must be acknowledged 
that Apollonius in the fourth book of the poem, has introduced the 
oracular power of the Bodona-Oak in a more astonishing and im- 
pressive manner. 

, Avriy.oc iq octpvo) 

Avovj eii y7\oi,(pug>Yi v/)oq oogv Topp ccvoc pitxcrnv 

A. 580. 



Here, as the vessel ploughed the salt profound, 
Sudden they heard a deep and awful sound. 
With human speech endow'd, the groaning oakj 
In hollow tones amid the timbers spoke, 
Where plac'd by Pallas, from Dodona's wood, 
With vocal pow'rs, oracular it stood. 

Preston's Transh 
SB 



We are surprized at meeting something in this passage (to which 
Mr. P. has done great justice) soaring far above the soft and polish- 
ed poetry of the Alexandrian court ; but our wonder abates on turn- 
ing to the Argonautica of Orpheus, where the same imagery on the 
very same occasion is presented to us, and we instantly discover the 
animated source of these unusual ideas. 

These labours straight employed their anxious hands : 
When thro' the hull a hollow voice expands 
In solemn tones : and from the oaken keel,. 
Which heavenly Pallas hewed with hallowed steel, 
Loud, human, accents burst their vocal way, 
And smote our souls w ith horror and dismay. 

From the Argon, of Orpheus. 

Ver. 479* — Tithonia.. Auroxa, so called because she was the 
wife of Tithonius. 

Te filiaNerei„ 

Te potuit lacrimis Tithonia flectere conjux. 

>~~~~ \JEn. VIII. 383. 

By Thetis and Aurora thou wert won. 

Dryden's Transl. 

Ver. 692. — Ideean descant* The priests of Cybele celebrated 
the goddess in the mountains of Phrygia, particularly in mount 
Dindymus, Berecynthus and Ida. They were eunuchs, and re-, 
markable for their effeminacy. Flutes, pipes, and cymbals, were 
their musical instruments* 

O vere Phrygise, neque enira Phryges ! ite per alta 
Dindyma, ubi assuetis biforem dat tibia cantum. 
Tympana vos buxusque vocat Berecynthia matris 
Idseae -. sinite arma viris, et cedite ferro. 

******* JEn. JX. 618- 

Go, Phrygians, to your Dindymus again ; 
Go, less than women, in the shape of men. 
Go, mix'd with eunuchs, in the mother's rites, 
Where with unequal sound the flute invites : 
Sing, dance, and howl by turns, in Ida's shade ; 
Resign the war to men, who know the martial trade. 
Dryden's Transl, 

Ver. 515. — Alchnede thus mourned. Apollonius, on this occa- 
sion, gives us a pretty simile, in the soft and sickly stile of a modern 
sonneteer. He compares the grief of such a mother as Alcimede in 



m 

•parting with such a son as Jason, to the vexation and sorrow of a little 
-g-rri, who being chid or beaten by her step-mother, runs crying to her 
*>ld nurse, " This simile" Mr. Preston however assures us " in the 
" original, is inexpressibly beautiful and tender; though perhaps a 
" little too minute and circumstantial. The languid flow of the 
*' word '/lythaZtC (which Mr. P. has judiciously rendered by the ex* 
pressive compound drags on) " and the introduction of a spondee in 
" the fifth place of the line, have a happy effect (as the Oxford edi- 
"*' tor remarks) to show the langour andtaedium, with which the un- 
s ' happy child drags on her cheerless and miserable being. We 
'" have here one of the many examples which show our poet's con- 
*.' summate skill in versification." — And we have here an example 
*{let me add to Mr. Prestons note) of delicate versification being mis- 
taken for poetry,, A long simile, even if the resemblance be appro- 
priate and tends to elevate the object of our concern, would be mis- 
applied, where the author ought to excite our sensibility rather than 

our admiration: But such a simile as this of Apollonius A 

friend, who is sitting with me, interrupts me to remark, that this 
simile of Apollonius is certainly appropriate, for that nothing is more 
natural or more common than to say, in speaking of a person over- 
whelmed in tender and excessive grief, that he or she cries like a 
child. — True — and nothing is more common than for the polished 
poetasters of the age to spin out such a common and natural expres- 
sion into fourteen lines of tender versification: it is well for us that 
they do not write Epic poems like Apollonius. 

Ver. 543. — And now the oars. It is curious to observe the 
commentators on the ancient classics ascribing every thing in which 
"one author resembles another to imitation. They find a catalogue 
of ships, forces, or individual heroes, in every epic poem, and they 
immediately declare that the catalogue of Homer must have been 
the poetical progenitor of all the rest. But let them for a moment 
imagine an epic poem, where many heroes, or other persons, are ne- 
cessary to the action, without such an enumeration. Would it not 
be perpetually confused ; and almost wholly unintelligible to the 
reader ? Or, else must not the narration of every incident be inter- 
rupted to make us acquainted with the agents ? Hence a catalogue 
is a natural adjunct to an epic poem ; and it would be well if that 
imitation, which they pretend to remark, were real. We should 
then, more frequently, be led to the survey of a well ordered ar- 
rangement ; and memory would have some thread, by which she 



116 

might retain the names and numbers which are presented to hei\ 
This thread in Homer is geographical order : as he enumerates his, 
heroes, and their forces, he leads our attention round the map of 
Greece and of the Troas ; and every place seems to send forth its 
ships or armies in regular succession. 1 know of no author from, 
Homer, to Valerius Flaccus, who has imitated this, or eveiS at- 
tempted any sort of lucid arrangement in his catalogue. Virgil 
" has ohserred no order in the regions described in his catalogue 
*■' (I. x.) but is perpetually breaking from the course of the country 
H in a loose and desultory manner."* Apollonius hath scarcely told 
us what subject he is going to celebrate, that he inundates our 
minds with a torrent of confused names and genealogies : we have 
hardly time to yield him our attention, before that attention is be- 
wildered and disgusted. Valerius Flaccus, on the contrary, awa- 
kens our interest, lets us enter fully on his subject, makes us ac- 
quainted with his hero and many of his most prominent associates, 
and indulges our feelings with some of his most pathetic scenes, before 
he ventures to place his catalogue before us. Like Homer he seems 
to watch for the favourable opportunity, and seizes that moment 
when his heroes, at their departure, take their seats and oars ; to 
which, we find from various passages in Livy, that it was particularly 
the custom of the mariners to give their names. Without the pos- 
sibility of employing the geographical advantages of Homer's ar- 
rangement, he displays his heroes in two ranks, one on each side of 
the vessel : the rowers are named in their proper order, while Or- 
pheus, Calais and Zetes, Tiphys, &c. are diposed of at the prow, 
the shrouds, or the helm, so that we have the whole vessel and her 
crew distinctly before our eyes. To make us still better acquainted 
with each of the Argonauts, he introduces some personal trait which 
may define or distinguish the object he would point out to us. Thus 
the bursting clasp and open vest of Meleager, the long hair of Etiry-, 
tion, the beautiful locks of Phleias, the similar mantles of Castor 
and Pollux, the shields of Canthus and Phalerus, the spear of Pele- 
us, &c. are so many marks by which we become intimate with the 
whole crew severally. In the two catalogues which our author is 
again obliged to introduce in his fifth and sixth books he has pur- 
sued the same plan. The confederates of Metes and Perses are de- 
picted with such peculiar distinctions, or personal characteristics, as 
fix them upon the memory. 

f Pope's observations on the Catalogue of Homer. 



117 
CATALOGUE 

OF 

THE ARGONAUTS, 

(Chiefly extracted from BimnanJ 



Ver. 545. — (i.) Telamon was the son ef jEacus and the brother 
of Peleu&. His friendship for Hercules rendered him the constant 
companion of that hero. His character is finely drawn and sustain- 
ed throughout this poem ; particularly his anxiety (in the third 
book) to detain the Argonauts until the return of Hercules, and his 
animated contention with Jason, 

Ver. 546, — (ii.) Alcides, Hercules-. The well-known son of 
Jupiter and Alcmena. By some he is said to have had at first the 
command of the vessel ; but that conscious of the designs of Juno he 
relinquished it in favour of Jason : others relate that, being unwilling 
to submit to Jason, he deserted the ship. Most authors however 
agree that his affeetion for Hyias was the cause of his seceding from 
the expedition. 

Ver, 548. — (iii.) Asterion, the son of Cometes. His mother 
was Antigona the daughter of Pheres, who was the brother of 
Cretheus. He was therefore nearly related to Jason, He is said 
to have built the town of Asterium in Thessaly. The conflux of 
the Apidanus and the Enipeus is in Thessaly near Piresia, 

Ver. 553 and 555. — (iv.) Talatjs and (v.) Laodocus. These 
were brothers, and with, Areius (who is omitted by our author) were 
the sons of Bias by Pero the sister of Nestor. They were nearly re-* 
lated to Jason. 

Ver. 557. — (vi.) Idmon. This prophet and poet was the son of 
Apollo and Cyreue. He is celebrated by all the Argonautic writers 
for his resolution to sail with Jason, although he knew that h$ 
should perish in the expedition. 



118 

Ver. 561. — (vii.) Iphitus the son of Naubolus, and a native at 
Phocis. It is said that Hercules threw him from the walls of the 
city of the Tirynthians in a fit of madness. 

Ver. 563.*-- (viii.) Euphemus, son of Neptune by Europa daugh- 
ter of Tityus. He as well as Orion is celebrated for the power of 
walking upon the waves, which the Scholiast interprets to signify 
that they were excellent mariners, who never suffered shipwreck* 
Taenaros or Tsenaron was sacred to Neptune, and abounded with 
caverns, which were believed by the ancients to lead to the infernal 
regions. Burman justly remarks that by the epithet semper paten* 
tern, our author seems to have alluded to this line in Virgil's sixth 
JEneid, 

Noctes atque dies patet atri janna Ditis. 

The gates of hell are open night and day. 

Dry den's Transl. 

Ver. 559 and 570. — (ix.) Deucalion and (x.) Amphion* The 
commentators dispute to little purpose concerning the father of these 
twins, and whether the first is rightly named Deucalion. Their si- 
milarity to each other is beautifully expressed in the original : the 
pleasure with which parents observe the likeness of their children 
to each other has been noticed also by other poets, and Hein- 
sjus instances the following lines of CI audi an concerning Castor and 
Pollux. 

juvat ipse Tonantem 

Error, et ambiguae placet ignorantia matri. 

The pleasing error charms the Thunderer's sight; 
And the fond Mother doubts with sweet delight. 

Ver. 573. — (xi.) Clymenus and (xii.) Iphiclus. The latter of 
these (whom our author tells us were brothers) appears to be the son 
of Thestius ; and Clymenus is probably affamiiy name for the descen- 
dants of Clymene, who was one of the M invades* 

Ver. 577- — (xiii.) Nauplius ; the son of Neptune and Amy* 
mone. Burman endeavours to prove both Virgil and our author in 
an error concerning this Nauplius, the Argonaut, who was the father 
of Palamedes : but however Virgil may have erred in giving Palame- 
des the patronymic of Belides, (which is far from being clear) Valerius 



119 

Flaccus is certainly right in supposing the Argonaut the same as the 
father of Palamedes. I refer the curious to the catalogue of Burmari, 
Palamedes being treacherously accused by Ulysses of receiving bribes 
from Priam at the seige Of Troy and put to death, his father Nau- 
plius set false lights upon the Capharean Rock to misguide the 
Greeks on their return. Many ships were thereby lost ; but when 
he perceived that Ulysses and Diomed, the authors of his son's de- 
struction, had escaped, he threw himself headlong into the ocean. 

Ver. 579* — ( x i v «) Oileus. The son of Leodocus and Agri- 
anome. Servius in a note on the iEneid refers to him thus, " In many 
*' Grecian Histories he (Oileus) is said to have had a third arm on his 
*' back; which seems to have been invented to express the rapidity 
" with which he fought in battle, by which he might be imagined 
*' to possess a third arm," His son Ajax was slain by Minerva with 
a thunderbolt because, during the plundering of Troy, he had vio- 
lated the prophetess Cassandra. Our author therefore alludes tq 
these lines of Virgil. 

. Pallasne exurere classem 

Argivum, atque ipsos, &c. JEn. I. 39. 

Could angry Pallas, with revengeful spleen, 
The Grecian Navy burn, and drown the men ? 
She for the fault of one offending foe, 
The bolts of Jove himself presumed to throw : 
With whirlwinds from beneath she tossed the ship, 
And bare exposed the bottom of the deep : 
Then, as an eagle gripes the trembling game, 
The wretch yet hissing with her father's flame, 
She strongly seized, and with a burning wound, 
Transfixed and naked, ou a rock she bound. 

Dryden's Transl, 

Ver. 587- — (xv.) Cepheus and (xvi.) Amphidamas were the 
sons of Aleus and Cleobule, of Arcadia. 

Ver. 590, — (xvii.) Anc^eus was the nephew of Cepheus and Am* 
phidamas and sent to the Argonautic Expedition by Lycurgus their 
elder brother. Apollonius informs us that Lycurgus remained at 
home to take care of his aged father Aleus or he would have attend- 
ed Jason. 

Ver. 591.— (xviii.) Ecrytion. The son of Irus and Demonassa, 
Irus was the brother of Mencetius. 



120 

Ver., 596. — (xix.) Nestor, The son of Neleus and Chloris : his 
age, wisdom and transactions in the Trojan war are too well known 
to be recited here. The detention of the Grecian fleet by contrary 
winds at Aulis is alluded to by our author. 

Ver. 599. — (xx.) Mopsus ; an illustrious prophet* the son of 
Ampycus and Chloris. Valerius appears to make him the son of 
Phoebus; butBurman thinks it is to be taken metaphorically, to sig- 
nify his excellence in poetry and augury. His helmet was wreathed 
with Peneian laurels. Daphne who was changed into a laurel, was 
the daughter of the river Peneus, near which was the birth place of 
Mopsus, In Apollonius he is called the Titaresian from the river 
Titaresius which joins the Peneus and of which the description -is 
thus elegantly translated from Homer by Pope; 

Or where the pleasing Titaresius glides, 
And into Peneus rolls his easy tides ; 
Yet o'er the silver surface pure they flow, 
The sacred stream unmixed with streams below; 

Ver. 604 — (xxi.) Tydeus. The son of Oeneus and the brother' 
of Meleager*] His son was Diomed so famous for his exploits at the 
seige of Troy : His actions are very highly celebrated in the ensuing 

books. 

Ver. 604 — (xxii.) Periclymenus. The son of Neleus, and 
brother of Nestor. Neptune endued him with the faculty of 
changing his figure. When Hercules destroyed the. family of his 
father he is said to have changed himself into a fly and to have been 
crushed to death by the ciub of the conquerer ; but Ovid gives him 
the form of an eagle, which Hercules pierced with his arrows, 
Methone, Elis and Anion were cities of the Peloponnesus. 

Ver. 609.— (xxiii.j P^antius : otherwise Philoctetes, the son 
of Psean. He was also at the Trojan war. He is not named by the 
other writers on the Argonautics ; and Buvman thinks it improbable 
that he should have been at both the seige of Troy and the voyage 
of Jason ; an occurrence which could not have happened to any other 
but Nestor. Hercules gave him his bow and arrows, without which 
Troy could not have been taken. 

Ver. 615; — (xxiv.) Butes, An Athenian, son of Teleon* 
Hymettus was a mountain of Attica abounding in the finest honey* 



121 

Ver. 621.— {xxv.) Phalerus. An Athenian the son of Alcon. 
Some commentators make A^con a Cretan. It is probable that 
Flaccus here attributes the action of the Cretan, who is celebrated 
for his skill in archery, to another Alcon an Athenian. This Phale- 
rus however appears to have also been from Crete, by his naming a 
town, which he built in Thessaly, after the Cretan town, Gortyna. 
He is also said to have constructed the Phalerean port at Athens, 
and to have passed over into Italy where he founded a city which he 
named after himself, Phaleron, which was also called Parthenope, 
and in latter times Naples. 

Ver. 627« — (xxvi.) Eribotes. The son of Teleon* but not of 
the same person of that name who was father to Butes. The fears 
which were engraved on his shield do not excite a single conjecture 
from any of the commentators. Hyginus calls him both Eribotes 
and Eurybates, and tells us that he perished during the return of 
the Argo. Pausanias mentions one Eurybates, who contended with 
the discus at the funeral games of Pelias. The name of Eurybates, 
however, became so infamous, that it was proverbial in Greece for a 
thief or villain, 

Ver. 629. — (xxvii.) Peleus. The son of iEacus, the brother of 
Telamon, and the father of Achilles. See note on verse 210. 

Ver. 640. — (xxviii.) Mencetius. The son of Actor and iEgina, 
and the father of Patroclus. The death of Patroclus and the sub- 
sequent rage of Achilles at the loss of a friend who had been his 
companion from his infancy are too well known to need mentioning 
in this place. 

Ver. 645. — (xxix,) Phleias. The son of Bacchus and Ariadne 
from Phlius a city of Peloponnesus. — Lyeeus is a name for Bacchus. 

Ver. 650. — (xxx.) AnCjEus. The second of the name among 
the Argonauts. He was the son of Neptune by Astypalaea the daugh- 
ter of Phoenix. He possessed great skill in navigation, and many 
authors make him the successor of Tiphys as Pilot of the Argo. 

Ver. 652. — (xxxi.) Erginus. The son of Neptune. Our au- 
thor makes the vessel itself pronounce him the successor of Tiphys in 
preference to Ancseus and Nauplius who were candidates for the 
helm. 



122 

Ver. 633. — (xxxii.) The Spartan. Ver. 668. — (xxxiii.) Cas* 
tor. Pollux and Castor were the sons of Jupiter by Leda. Our 
author follows Homer, Theocritus, &c. who make Poilux the pugi- 
list, and Castor the horseman ; on the contrary, Virgil and Proper-* 
this give the famous steed Cyllarus to Pollux, — Amyclas was a city 
of Laconia, not far from Lacedemon, whence Castor and Pollux 
are called either Spartans or Amyclaeans. 

Ver. 680. — (xxxiv.) Meleager, One of the most famous of the 
ancient heroes. He was the son of CEneus and Althaea;, by nation a 
Calydonian. In strength and bulk he nearly equalled Hercules, 
Our author describes him as overbearing, proud, and boastful ; 
and as the leader of the factious party in the third book, when 
Hercules quits the vessel. 

Ver. 685. — (xxxv.) jEthalides. The son of Mercury and 
Eupolemia, 

Ver. 6S8. — (xxxvi.) Eurytus. Ver. 691. — (xxxvii.) Echion. 
The sons of Mercury and Antianira, iEthalides obtained from his. 
father the faculty of retaining the memory of his existence through 
ill the transmigrations by which, according to the doctrine of the 
Metempsychosis, the soul passes from one body to another, He 
was afterwards Euphorbus at the siege of Troy, who after some 
generations became Pythagoras : see Ovid's Metam. 

Ver. 695. — (xxxviii). Iphis. This Argonaut is mentioned by 
our author only. The commentators have not determined to what 
family he belonged. His death which is here so pathetically fore*, 
told, and which is afterwards mentioned by Jason in the seventh 
fcook, is no where described ; which gives Zinzerlingus occasion 
to assert that the poem is much mutilated. 

Ver. 698. — (xxxix.) Admetus, was king of the Pharaeans ; 
Apollo is said to have been his herdsman, when Jupiter expelled 
that deity from Olympus for having slain the Cyclops, The god in-^ 
creased the wealth of Admetus by whom he was received : and ob- 
tained of the Fates this favour for his friend, — that if he could find any 
one who would die instead of him, he should be redeemed from death, 
— Every one refused to do so except his wife Alcestis, the daughter of 
Pelias. She underwent a voluntary death, but Proserpine moved 
at her conjugal piety, restored her to the arms of her husband : 



m 

this subject forms the plot of one the tragedies of Euripides-. 
•fDelius a name for Apollo- Bcebcis a marshy lake in Thessaly 
«ear mount OssaJ. 

Ver. 708.---{xl.) Canthus* The son of Abas the JEubcean. There 
were many Grecian heroes of the name of Abas, but the shield of 
one of them was proverbial for its beauty and excellent workmanship. 
Virgil probably alludes to that in the third iEneid, where he makes 
iEneas possess a spoil, so famous among his enemies. If our author 
has any eye to that passage in Virgil, he certainly understood the 
preceding possessor of it to have been slain by iEneas, and not 
Abas himself; and it would have been probable that a piece of 
armour of such celebrity must have been borne by some of the 
decendants of Abas the father of Canthus, who himself could not 
have been at the siege of Troy, or have fought any where with 
iEneas. Dryden's epithet of vanquished, which he has substituted 
for mighty, will thereby become erroneous; and I believe it is in 
general dangerous to alter the epithets applied to the ancient heroes 
by the best poets, since they are seldom merely expletives. 

iEre cavo clypeum, magni gestainen Abantis, 
Postibus adversis tigo, et rein carmine signo : 
" /Eneas hac de Dauais victoribus arma." 

-*>^ JE11. HI. 286. 

I fix'd upon tbe temple's lofty door, 
The brazen shield which vanquished Abas bore : 
The verse beneath my name and action speaks, 
" These amis iEneas took from conquering Greeks." 
Dryden's Transl. 

{Chalcidian sands, the coast of Eubcea. Euripus, the straight 
which divides Eubcea from Bceotia. Gercestum, a promontory of 
Eubcea sacred to Neptune.) 

Ver. 720. — (xli.) Polyphemus was the son of Elatus, a Thes- 
salian. His mother was Hippia the daughter of Antippus. He is 
said by some to have perished in the expedition, and by Apollouius 
and others he is said to have accompanied Hercules in his search for 
Hylas. 

Ver. 726.— (xlii.) Idas ; Ver. 728.— (xliii.) Lynceus. The sons 
of Aphareus and Arena. Idas is described by Apollonius as a proud 
and arrogant boaster. Lynceus is supposed to have been the disco- 



124 

verer of certain mines of metal, and therefore to have had it said of 
him that he could see into the bowels of the earth. The associates- 
of the Academy of Natural Philosophy at Rome, took the name of 
Lyncci, as denoting them enquirers into the minerals and other na- 
tural productions of that kind. 

Ver. 737- — (xliv.) Zetes and (xlv.) Calais. The sons of 
Boreas by Orithyia the daughter of Erectheus king of Athens. 

Ver. 739. — (xlvi.) Orpheus. The son of (Eagrus and the muse 
Calliope. His name is so well known that I shall not detain my 
readers with any account of him in this place. 

Ver. 744. — (xlvii.) Iphiclus, the son of Phylacus, who built 
the town of Phylace in Thessaly. Weitzius tells us that it was cus- 
tomary for the heroes to be attended in their expeditions by a kind 
of submonitors in the same manner as Achilles was accompanied by 
Phoenix ; and that Periphantes the son of Epytus has this office in 
the iEneid. 

At pater iEneas, noiidum certamine misso, 
Custodem ad sese comitemque impubis liili 
Epytiden vocat. JEn. V. 545. 

The chief before the games were wholly done. 
Called Periphantes, tutor to his son. 

Dry den's Transl. 

Ver. 750. — (xlviii.) Argus: the son of Polybus and Argia ac- 
cording to Hyginus: but the parentage of this illustrious ship-build- 
er appears unsettled among the mythologists and commentators. 

Ver. 756. — (xlix.) Tiphys. The son of Hagnius, and pilot or 
helmsman of the Argo. He died during the voyage. Ammianus 
relates that this monument, with that of Idmen, and Sthenelus, was 
not far from the Tibareni and Macrones in Cappodocia, 

Ver. 764. — (1.) Acastus : the son of Pelias and Anaxibia. 

Apollonius makes the number of the Argonauts to be fifty-four 
including Jason. Apollodorus reckons them fifty besides Jason: 
this we see agrees with the estimate of our author. The smallest 
sort of vessels employed in the Trojan War contained fifty men, and 
the largest one hundred and twenty. 



125 

Ver. 770. — Thus fhro' some, Burman" remar"ks that this simile 
is much more elegantly managed than that which Statius has copied 
from it in his fourth book. 

raptis velut aspera natis 

Pi-aedati'iis equi sequitur vestigia tigris. 

As when a tigress, furious for her young - , 
Pursues the foot-track of the plunderer's horse. 

The object of the simile is however reversed : in Flaccus, Jason is 
compared to the hunter : in Statius, Atalanta is compared to the 
tigress. — It is curious to find Burman accusing Statius of calling the 
horse itself the plunderer. " Elegantius hoc multo, quam quod Sta-> 
tins in hdc re IV. Theb. 316, equum ipsum praedatorem dicat. 

Lat. Ver. 494, — Ut par iter propulsa ratis. This beautiful pas- 
sage is closely imitated by Statius in describing the departure of 
the Argo from Lemnos. Hypsipyle is there relating the slaughter of 
the Lemnians, her love for Jason, and the departure of the Mmyae ; 
and with great pathos observes. 



primoque ferit dux verbere pontum ! 



He, first, — their leader ! — with departing oar 
Smote, eagerly, the waves J 

Then follows the passage so exactly paralleled with this of FJaccus, 
that it is almost impossible that they can both be original, 

Illos, et seopulis, et summo vertice montis 
Spumea porrecti diriraentes tcrga profundi 
Prosequimur visa : donee lassavit euntes 
Lux cculos, longumque polo coutesere visa est 
liquor, et extrenii pressit freta margine cceli. 

From rocks, and from the mountain's lofty ridge, 
We, with sad sight, pursued their widening track, 
That marked the silvery shoulders of the deep, 
Until the glittering light o'erpowers our eyes, 
That strain to keep their object, and bright mists 
Seemed to conceal the ocean in the sky, 
And with the borders of the bending heavens 
Repress the farthest billows, 



m 

Vei\ 804. — -No such let Teucer. " From Electra the daughter 
" of Atlas, and from Jupiter proceeded Iasion and Dardanus : 
" Iasion becoming excessively enamoured with Geres attempted to 
" ravish her, when he was slain by a thunder bolt. Dardanus 
" grieved at the death of his brother left Samothracia and passed 
*' over to the opposite continent, where Teucer, the son of the river 
" Scamander and the nymph Idsea, was king, and from whose 
" name the inhabitants of that region called themselves Teucri. 
" He was hospitably received by the monarch, whose daughter 
" he espoused, and was admitted into a share of the kingdom. He 
" built the city Dardanus. When Teucer departed from among 
" men the whole empire was called Dardania." Apollodorus. 

JLibys seems to be put for Epaphus the father of Libya. Hy- 
ginus says " Jupiter commanded Epaphus, who was his son by lo, 
*' to build cities in iEgypt, and to reign there. He first founded 
" Memphis and afterwards many others ; and by Cassiopeia his 
" wife, he had a daughter named Libya, after whom that region of 
" the earth hath since been named," 

" Tantalus was king of Phrygia, but his son Pelops reigned 
" over great part of Greece and gave his name to the Peloponnesus. 1 ' 

Thus we see then by Teucer, Libys and Pelops, the poet 
means Asia minor, Africa and Greece, 

Ver. 862. — A shepherd shall, Sfc< The remainder of this speech 
of Jupiter foretelling the fate of Troy is imitated partly from the 
Nerean prophecy which forms the 15th Ode of the first book of Ho- 
race. 

Pastor cum trail crel per freta cavibus 
Idseis Helenam, &c. 

When the perfidious shepherd o'er the waves 
Conveyed the consort of his regal host, 
The beauteous Helen, with his Trojan fleet, 
Nereus compelled the rapid-breathing- winds 
To an unwelcome calm, while loud he sang 
The cruel dictates of the approaching fates. 
" Thou, with ill omens, to thy home dost take 
" Her, whom all Greece shall soon demand agaie 
" With numerous arms 5 confederate to destroy 
" Thy nuptials, and old Priam's ancient throne. 
" Lo ! what tumultuous throngs of panting horse J 
" What crowds of warriors ! to the Dardan race 
" What dreadful deaths thou hearest ! already, lo I 
" Pallas prepares her helmet and her car, 
" And lifts her direful tegis ! — Ah, in vain 



1,27 

a Confiding in the care of Venus, thou dost wreathe 

" Thy flowing locks, and to the unwarlike lute 

" Sing'st verses loved by women ! — Ah, in vain, 

" Sunk on the couch of love, dost thou avoid 

" Swift ponderous spears, and points of Cretan darts, 

" And shouts of war, and rapid in pursuit 

" Tremendous Ajax : for in sanguine dust, 

" Shalt thou at length defile thy treacherous hair J 

" Dost thou not see Ulysses, of thy race 

" The dread destroyer ?— Pylian Nestor too ? 

" Lo, Salaminian Teucer, and, with him, 

" Fierce Sthenelus well skill'd in strenuous fight, 

" Or, when 'tis sieedful to direct the horse, 

" No lingering charioteer, rushes upon thee ! 

" Merion shalt thou knosv ! — Behold fierce Diomed 

" Burns with infuriate rage to meet with thee ; 

'* Whom thou — (as when a stag, his grass forgot, .., 

" Flies from the wolf his glancing eye perceives 

" Ranging the farthest vale) — shalt breathless fly — 

" All pale, and trembling : not such flight thy boast, 

" Not such the promise that seduced the fair ! 

" Achilles' sullen vessels but defer 

" The fate of ilium and the Phrygian dames ; — 

" The appointed winters ended, Grecian flame, 

*' Wide-spreading, shall consume the domes of Troy!" 

Valerius Flaccus carries the prophecy farther, and points out the 
greatness and duration of the Roman Empire, but in a dark and 
undecided manner well suited to the distance between the periods. 

Ver. 885. — Till Japetus. The Giants contended against Jupi- 
ter and the confederate gods near Phiegra, a city of Macedonia.— 
Liber is a name for Bacchus, 

Ver, 896. — Each Tyndarian youth. Castor and Pollux, paiv 
ticularly called AoWs^ot or Sons of Jupiter. Jt was beautifully 
imagined by our author to describe those stars, which are said to 
adorn the foreheads of these youths, as emanating from their father 
Jupiter at the commencement of the voyage of the Argo, These 
stars belonged afterwards to the constellation of the Twins, and 
were much regarded as ominous of storms or fine weather by the 
ancient mariners, When both appeared, fair weather was thought 
to be denoted ; but when only one, a storm was supposed to be 
jiear at hand. 

Ver. 902. — Boreas. The cold, dry, wind blowing from the north 
was so called from j3o«<y to cry out and pea to run rapidly, because it is 



128 

Iboth swift and boisterous. In mythology Boreas is said to have been 
the offspring of the river Strymon in Macedonia, and to have carried 
away Orithyia the daughter of Erechtheus, king of Athens ; by 
whom he had two sons Calais and Zetes. See the Catalogue of Ar- 
gonauts. Pangceus, a mountain of Thrace. Molia, more properly 
in this place the jEolian Islands near Sicily: 

Ver. 916. — Pi/racmon. Pyracmdn and Acamas are names of 
Cyclops. This is imitated from Virgil. 

Ferrum exercebasit vasto Cyclopes in antro, 
Brontesque, Steropesque, et nudus membra Pyracmon. 
**~~ ffin. VIII. 42.5. 

Here in a hollow cave the Cyclops heat 
The glowing steel : Pyracmon naked-arm' d, 
Brontes and Steropes. 

Ver. 92(3. — Molus. The monarch of the winds : much of the 
following description of the winds and the tempest they produce is 
imitated from the first book of Virgil. Our author has nevertheless 
shown both judgment and genius in the introduction of this storm : 
such a feature is surely wanting in the account of the first naval ex- 
pedition : and it manifests a poverty of invention in Apollonius to 
have crowded his poem with so many wonderful events, which are to 
be found in all the writers of mythology, and to have neglected those 
natural occurrences which necessarily belong to the principal action. 
Scaliger highly commends this incident of a tempest in this place ; to 
the splendour and effect of which (he says) the Argonautica of Apol- 
lonius does not aspire. For the parallel passages in Virgil I refer my 
reader to the first iEneid, as the extracts would here be too numerous. 

Ver. 999. — And. weep their doom. " No species of death was so 
much dreaded by the ancients as drowning : not only because they 
esteemed it base and ignoble, but because they were persuaded that 
their souls would wander about until some earth was thrown upon 
their bones. It is on this account that Virgil, who in every thing 
else makes iEneas possess the highest magnanimity, tells us that his 
hero grew pale at sight of the billows that were excited by Juno. — 
Ovid also in the following passage from his Tristia has the same idea 
of death. 

Non letum tiraeo, genus est nvserabile leti, 

Bemite r.aufiagiuni, muis raihi mivnus erit. 



13. 

Est aliquid fatoque suo ferroque cadentem 

In solita moriens ponere corpus humo ; 
Et mandare suis aliqua, et sperare sepulerum, 

Et non eequoreis piscibus esse cibum. 

Not death I dread, but such a death detest : 
From shipwreck saved, to die were to be blest. 
"Tis something stili by fate or steel to die, 
And in the earth we cherished mouldering lie ; 
Breathe our last wish, — expect the hallowed grave, 
Nor dying dread the monsters of the wave. 

E Notis Carrionis. 

*' Death suffered in shipwreck was the most hateful of any to the 
imagination of the ancients. Hence in Syuesius we find soldiers 
putting themselves to the sword rather than perish in the waves, 
esteeming that an heroic death, and not altogether destructive of the 
vital spirit. For they appear to have believed that the spark of life 
was totally extinguished in an element so contrary to fire. Homer 
therefore describes no other death in the same expressions as that of 
Ajax Oileus sinking in the waves. 

£2$ 5- [am s^S <x.7ro\ct)Xsv , frrn <jtUv ahjxvtQv voup. 

He perished when he drank the briny wave. 

Of no other person he says he perished, but that each departed from 
life («"&« h 0c0igxu). E Notis Bul^ei. 

Ver. 1024. — Nor justly shalt thou share. Voyages by sea were 
long esteemed by the ancients as a criminal boldness and it was fre- 
quently remarked that many of the Argonauts expiated their impious 
exploit by some dreadful death. This is the subject of one of the 
Choruses in the Medea of Seneca. 

Quisquis audacis tetigit carini 
Nobiles ramos, &c. 

Medeje, Act III. Chorus. 

Whoever touched the illustrious hough, 
That crown'd the Argo's venturous prow, 
And, mid the consecrated glade, 
Despoil'd Mount Pelion's awful shade ; 
Whoever braved the justling rocks, 
Rushing between their thuudering shocks ; 

3 D 



130 

And having passed with bold disdain x 
So many perils of the main, 
Haul'd o'er the bow, with hurried hand, 
Their anchor from the barbarous strand j 
While, in successful rapine bold, 
They bore away the fleecy gold. 
On each some direful death requites, 
Ocean's invaded realms, and violated rights ! 

The surges roar round every coast 
Demanding vengeance on the host : 
Tiphys, who ruled the billowy realm, 
Expiring, first, resigned the helm ! 
Far from his father's plains he dies : 
Low on the wave-worn beach he lies : 
Upon his corse vile sand is thrown ; 
He mingles, sad, with ghosts unknown'. 

And he, the offspring of the vocal Muse, 

Who, as he touch'd the harmonious chords, and sung s 
The arrested torrent would its fury lose, 

And the wild winds in mute attention hung, 
And all the birds, forgetting their own song, 
Would with the grove itself around the minstrel throng : 
He, even he, all scattered now remains ! 

" His severed limbs o'er Thracia's wilds are spread, 
And where the plains of Hebrus sweep the plains, 
Pale on the waters rolls his mangled head. 
Nor shall his hapless ghost revisit more, 
The dark Tartarian realms, or Styx's shadowy shore, 

Vev. 1046. — Salmoneus. He was the son of iEolus the Thessa« 
lian, and great-uncle to Jason. He imitated the thunder of Jupiter 
by driving over a bridge of brass and hurling torches on every side, 
He was slain by Jupiter with a thunderbolt for his impiety. Vide 
^neid VI. 585, 

Ver. 1082. — 'Tis thus when Sirius. Burman remarks that our 
author has here an imitation of Horace, who in Ode XXXI. 1. gives 
Calabria the epithet of testuosa ; and again in Epod. I. says 

Pecusve Calabris ante sidus fervidum 
Lucana mutat pascua. 

I need not here explain the well-known effects of Sirius or the Dog- 
Star but shall quote the description, of it from Aratus. 

H &i oi a-Kpfi 

■ 'Af£f* /2ibA'/5Tca ti£tvu> yzvvi;, 05 p« [/.aMroc 



131 

'O^i'a. aeigiclei. Kai pit y.ciXsue- ' uv&pwiroi 
'Est^ov. Oijy. iri y.sVvo'v ap r,tXiu uuovrct, 

Vt7oe, yccp ovv SKgtvs okx. 5"'p£<z? o%vq a'/fa?. 
K«< to. fj.iv ippcoci, roy $s <pXoo'j uiXtas vrxvrot, 

A lucid star, with hot and glowing rays, 
Forth from his panting jaws emits its blaze ; 
Deep drouth and fever mark its fervid flame;, 
And Sinus men the parching radiance name. 
What time this sign the solar power receives, 
Deceitful blossoms droop their dingy leaves-, 
The trees unfruitful sicken : mid their rows, 
The penetrating fervour fiercely glows ; 
Some plants swell ripening with the burning ray. 
Some burst their arid bark and die away. 

Ver. 1116. — Thus when swift Dcedalus. The escape of Dsedalus 
and his son Icarus from Crete, by means of wings, and the fall of 
the latter into the iEgean sea is known to almost every reader. Our 
author seems fond of the image with which he depicts the flight of 
Dsedalus Nube nova : he has before called a swarm of bees longa 
nubes, and in the fourth book he stiles the Harpies Cocytia nubcs. 
Again in describing the sea-monster about to destroy Hesione we 
have, 

. cujus stellautia glauca 

Lumina nube tremunt - 

His broad eyes glisten with a misty glare. 

and presently afterwards of Hercules discharging his arrows it is ele- 
gantly said, 

.. tota pharetrse 

Nube premit 

Whehn'd him with all his quiver's stormy cloud. 

E Notis Heinsii. 

The same image is found in the simile from Virgil quoted in the 
Note on Verse 254^ 

Ver. 1150. — Thus token Thyoneus. Thyoneus a name of Bac- 
chus ; who 'is depicted with a helmet on each side of which are fixed 
the horns of a ram, to denote his origin from Jupiter Ammon. Ly- 
curgus the son of Dryas was king of Thrace, who having endeavour- 



m 

ed to root up all the vines of the country, and put an end to the Bac«* 
chanalian rites, was afflicted with such madness by the irritated 
divinity, that he slew his wife, his children, and afterwards himself: 
Bacchus gave his corse to feed his panthers on mount Rhodope. 

Ver. 1 156. — And now Aleimede. This Episode concerning the 
deaths of iEson and Aleimede is certainly very objectionable, and 
must have been introduced for the sake of such supernatural rites as 
might afford the author an opportunity of imitating certain striking 
passages in the sixth book of the iEneid or the eleventh of the Odes- 
sey. But, however, if as a part of the Argonautica it ought not to 
have been admitted, yet as a separate composition it contains many 
of 5 the highest beauties. The anxiety of Aleimede and the dreadful 
imprecations which iEson utters against Pelias are in the most awful 
style of sublime Poetry. 

Ver. 1243. — Backward the stanzas. The verbal commentators* 
are puzzled, in this place, with the meaning of the word retro. I 
have ventured to suppose that the imploring verse which pacified the 
infernal deities and obtained an easier passage for the departed soul 
across the Styx was recited backwards. This was the manner of ut- 
tering many of the charmed verses by the witches and sorcerers of the 
fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and hence the vulgar still retain 
the notion that the devil may be raised by saying the Lord's prayer 
backwards. The Cambridge Dictionary m explaining the Etruscan 
charm against lire, which was the word arseverse derived from Ar- 
dere to burn and vertere to turn, and was fixed upon the porches of 
houses, says, that in common with most of the magic verses of the 
Ancients it might be recited either backwards or forwards, and that 
the Greek term for such charms was V^'re^s or stanzas recited ei- 
ther way, 

Lat. Ver. 795.— Virgo Jovi terras. There is an elegant de- 
stinction in the supernatural beings addressed by iEson, which the 
veibal critics have not noticed although it seems to have laid closely 
in their way. Virgo or Astrcea means Jus or civil and natural Jus- 
tice ; Fas, that religious or sacred rule of duty which depends im- 
mediately on the divine will in its revelations: The first is therefore 
connected with the JTItrices Dece or goddesses of terrestrial revenge ; 
the other by Poena, grandceva parens Furorum or the punishment 
of the infernal regions. 



133 

Ver. 1294. — While to their lips. Apollodorus grve9 the follow- 
ing account of the deaths of iEson and Alcimede. " Pelias not 
*' being able to bear with patience the return of the Argonauts de- 
" termined to put iEson to death. He, however, sought means to 
" terminate his own existence, and having with intrepidity drank the 
" gore of an immolated bull expired. But the mother of Jason 
" pouring imprecations on Pelias, and leaving an infant son, hung 
" herself. Pelias slew the infant whom she left." This account 
differs indeed materially from the well-known story of Ovid where 
Medea restores iEson to youth. — Burman calls the name of this in- 
fant son of iEson, Promachus, but does not cite his authority. 

Ver. 1317. — Eternal there arise two lofty gates. The original 
of jthis passage and much of what follows is closely imitated from 
Virgil's sixth iEneid, yet with the introduction of many original 
ideas and such poetic description as no mere imitator would be capa- 
ble of producing. In fact, where our author's subject coincides 
with that of his great predecessor, his veneration leads him to bend 
his own genius, and to pursue at a humble distance the track of the 
Mantuan. — The beautiful description of a virtuous and philanthropic 
General is entirely his own, and probably alludes to the death of 
some contemporary. Could it be ascertained who was the person 
designed in these verses, we might fix the exact period in which this 
book was composed. 




DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER, 

in placing the Plates to the Poem of Blackheath, 



^>^.^«^> 



PAGE. y 



Vignette view of Blackheath to precede the Dedication. 

TAGE. 

The Remains of Wricklesmarsh House to face page . .12 
Lewisham. ................ , ,.,.,, 40 

Vanbrugh House from Greenwich Park. , . 67 

Blackheath 87 

Charlton Church. ......,....,...:. .134 



'Printed by H. K. Causton\ 
Birckin-Lane, Cornltill, 



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